To battle with spyware, viruses, malware and any materials deemed indecent, Apple is moving ahead to implement kill switch mechanism. Kill switch will be able to snuff out offending applications installed on the device of users.

Tightening the control rope on developers, Apple has planned even to revoke the license of developers on determining that any of the applications deployed by them are malicious. Revoking of license involves removing all signed up applications from the App Store of the concerned developer. Apple has the sole authority in making the decision on this.

When the kill switch is implemented the users’ device will contact Apple server for an updated list of revoked certificates whenever the device is connected to the internet. Based on the information received from Apple servers, applications from those developers whose licenses are revoked would be removed or disabled on the users’ device.

Apple’s decision to implement kill switch has received both criticism and positive response. On one hand users are freed for the fear of malicious apps waiting for them on the App Store, but on the other hand the fairness of Apple in judging applications and the strategy of screening is a big question mark that is worrying many developers.

Transparency of Apple’s decision in removing applications without prior notice either to users or the developers seems to be the main concern here. Many of us still wonder why applications such as NetShare, I Am Rich, Box Office, etc just disappeared from the App Store. We just end up assuming the reasons of their removal and leave all to do more guessing games.

Whatever the reasons be many users are just happy that Apple is seriously implementing measures to stamp out threats to its customers from the root.