Microsoft automatically uninstalls pirated navigation app from Windows Phones
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Turn by Turn GPS Navigation has been unlucky enough to have their XAP pirated. More unusual however is that some-one uploaded the unaltered XAP to Marketplace and it was accepted.
Italian site Plaffo pointed it out, and as normally € 35.99 app was being made available for free thousands of people downloaded it.
Microsoft when notified immediately removed the app from Marketplace, but more interestingly also activated automatic uninstall of the app, a measure that would normally be reserved for malicious apps.
TheOwner, under who’s account the app was uploaded (and who claims that his PC was hacked) has been threatened with $40,000 of damages, which gives an idea of the losses involved.
The ability to remotely uninstall apps appears to be used rather rarely on other platforms. Do our readers think Microsoft overreacted? Let us know below.
Via Plaffo.com
