Just days before the launch of the first "Google Phone", the HTC G1, to be released by T-Mobile, Google has admitted that its Android software is not as free as its fans would believe. In fact, Google could remotely zap software from your phone without your permission.Google's admission followed an investigation by Computerworld, which discovered a "kill switch" clause in the fine print of Android's terms-of-use contract.
The fine print says: "Google may discover a product that violates the developer distribution agreement ... in such an instance, Google retains the right to remotely remove those applications from your device at its sole discretion."
Google has responded that if any commercial software is removed from a person's Android phone, then the user will be refunded for the cost of the software.
Apple also admitted to the existence of a kill switch for its iPhone OS, although not until some time after its AppStore launched. Although the AppStore unrequested recall feature has never been used, Apple has been relatively tight about screening what software is placed on its software download service, while Google is taking a much more open approach.
