“Kill switches” have become a standard part of most mobile operating systems. Apple, Amazon, Microsoft and Google each have the ability to remotely delete malicious applications from users’ devices without permission. With the launch Windows 8 later this year, millions of computers will receive similar functionality for the first time according to Bloomberg. Microsoft hasn’t spoken publicly about Windows 8′s inclusion of the feature, having only confirmed to Bloomberg that it ...

A few days ago Google was made aware that there were over 20 apps in the Android Market that were up to no good. These malicious apps gained system-level access to your handset when downloaded and would intercept and covertly transmit private data to 3rd party servers. Some of these apps have been downloaded more than 50,000 times. To try and fix the problem, Google has started using a remote kill switch feature in Android to wirelessly nuke those installed apps on user’s handsets. That’s not the ...

Good news, future Windows Phone owners — Microsoft has further clarified its position on the app kill switch tied to Windows Mobile 6.5 we reported earlier this week. Apparently it’s not as bad as everyone thought. In short, the remote deletion of apps from users’ handsets will supposedly only occur in the event an app goes haywire:In the vast majority of instances where an application is removed from Windows Marketplace for Mobile, users of this application will continue to be able to use t...

We have a bit of troubling news from Windows world today as a developer in attendance at Microsoft’s Tech.Ed New Zealand has relayed some interesting tidbits. Regarding the “Windows Marketplace for Mobile” — Microsoft’s version of the Apple App Store — Microsoft has confirmed the existence of a ‘kill switch’ for apps. In the event an approved app is later removed from the Marketplace, the app will also automatically be removed from users’ handsets. We̵...