Apple has apparently included a blacklisting mechanism in iPhone OS 2.x via which the device can phone home, check for unauthorized applications, and disable them.
Apple has apparently included a blacklisting mechanism in iPhone OS 2.x via which the device can phone home, check for unauthorized applications, and disable them.
The OS includes a URL that points to a page containing a list of unauthorized applications, specifically:
https://iphone-services.apple.com/clbl/unauthorizedApps
Jobs confirmed that it is indeed possible for Apple to reach into your phone from afar and disable applications: "Hopefully we never have to pull that lever, but we would be irresponsible not to have a lever like that to pull" he told the Wall Street Journal.
Apple needs it in case it inadvertently allows a malicious program -- one that stole users' personal data, for example -- to be distributed to iPhones through the App Store.
Big Brother is dead - welcome to the Big Apple.