Re: Google power over Android

["Stanclift, Michael" <michael.stanclift () ROCKHURST EDU>]

You can look at it maliciously, but they already have the power to do OTA updates, and I think the intent of the remote 
install is to issue security updates to the OS and other apps. My thinking is Apple has the same ability and I wouldn't 
be shocked to see something similar come out of Microsoft as well with Windows Mobile 7. In the case of this remote 
removal, they removed an application that (while only for research) accessed areas of the phone it shouldn't have.

Michael Stanclift | Network Analyst | Computer Services
Rockhurst University | 1100 Rockhurst Road, Kansas City, MO 64110
Phone: 816.501.4231 | Fax: 816.501.4014 | http://help.rockhurst.edu 

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-----Original Message-----
From: The EDUCAUSE Security Constituent Group Listserv [mailto:SECURITY () LISTSERV EDUCAUSE EDU] On Behalf Of randy 
marchany
Sent: Monday, June 28, 2010 3:06 PM
To: SECURITY () LISTSERV EDUCAUSE EDU
Subject: [SECURITY] Google power over Android

Something sinister about this statement:

"Google has the power to not only remove applications from users'
Android phones, but remotely install them as well."

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/06/28/google_remote_android_application_install/

Guess we have to start re-evaluating our smart phone initiatives......

-Randy Marchany
VA Tech IT Security Office & Lab.