Unjusified FSF attack on the Android App Market

Brett Smith of FSF has posted today an unwarranted attack on the Android App Market (Steer clear of Android Market and its DRM). Here's my response to him (with few alterations in italics).

Dear Brett,

I am an avid Free Software supporter and usually am in agreement of what's posted on the fsf.org site. Having said that, I am really having trouble with your blog post today about the Android Market and its DRM.

Let begin with the quote you made:

From time to time, Google may discover a Product on the Market that violates the Android Market Developer Distribution Agreement or other legal agreements, laws, regulations or policies. You agree that in such an instance Google retains the right to remotely remove those applications from your Device at its sole discretion.

It says "Google may discover a Product on the Market" so they do not deal with programs you have installed outside of the market which (unlike in Apple's case, you can) - only programs you have downloaded through the market. These programs were largely taken as valid up-front by Google - they do not presume they are malicious in any way (whatever that term might mean). If they turn out to be malicious, I think it is Google's moral (some would say legal) obligation to take them off people's phone. I wouldn't have wanted my kids to use the market if it did not have this option.

A novice user not reading Hacker News, Reddit or what-have-you will most likely not know about the problem and might not even bother (I am the family fix-it guy for computers/phones, I know the attitude).

Can Google abuse their power? Sure though not likely - I haven't seen them going after programs they don't like (or compete with them).

Rather than attacking Google, I think your message would have been more balanced and helpful if you suggested a better approach. For example, instead of removing the app, Google may disable it and when the user tries to launch it, pop up a red bold notice that this application was found to be malicious, doing this and that and offering the option to uninstall it, ignore the warning or defer to a later time.

Regard,

Dror

p.s., I have no ties to Google. I use their services cause they make my life better. I keep backups for rainy days...

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