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It is not only Apple’s iPhone has a kill switch to block user applications that violate the user terms, Google Android too has such a built in switch. Not many people believed that Apple iPhone had such a switch and they thought that it was only a rumor until they experienced it themselves. When people learnt that Apple iPhone has such a kill switch they were more than frustrated. Google too is facing the same wrath of the consumers who rant and rave about the kill switch that comes inbuilt with Google’s Android. Google has done this to keep to ensure the integrity of the Android OS.

This news was inferred from the user terms of the Android Market. Google uses the brand name Android Market to promote its software to compete with App Store. As per the terms and conditions of Google’s Android Market, Google reserves the right to kill software applications that are not in line with distribution agreement. According to the terms, when Google happens to spot a product that is in violation with the developer distribution agreement, Google has the right to remove all those software application from your device remotely. This will be done with the sole discretion of Google.

Some of the buyers are relieved that they have learnt this fact before they purchased Google’s Android. The much-awaited device is expected to hit the market on 22nd October. We are yet to receive more detailed information on the kill switch. It is expected that Google will handle this issue in a little more careful manner than Apple. However, it will certainly have a certain negative impact on the sale of the device. Google is however being upfront in informing the user about the kill switch unlike Apple that kept quiet about this issue until someone discovered on their own and propagated it online through out the internet.

A word of consolation is that, if Google deletes any applications, it promises to make a refund on the applications deleted. However, we need to see how the details will be worked out. We have no news whether Apple takes any such responsibility or gives any refunds for the applications deleted.

Google is promising to take all possible actions to keep their consumers happy by helping them recover the price of the products from the developers themselves on your behalf. However, full refund will be a question and the percentage or refund will depend on the individual developer and Google may not have any say on the refund percentage. This is bound to leave many users unhappy. All that they promise now is recovery of partial refund.

It is inferred that Google will only delete only applications that are malicious and it will not remove the applications in any indiscreet way. Apple seems to have failed in this regard and it prescreens all the applications.

Android Market users will get access to all downloads whenever they want without any limitation to provide them with the required programs in case of any device related problems or theft or loss.