Apple iPhone

Apple chief executive Steve Jobs confirmed the existence of a so-called "back door" built into the latest iPhone software—one that allows the company, on a whim, to remove applications that owners have downloaded onto the device.

According to an interview in Monday's Wall Street Journal, the back door was added as a security measure.

"Mr. Jobs confirmed such a capability exists, but argued that 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," the Journal reported. "'Hopefully we never have to pull that lever, but we would be irresponsible not to have a lever like that to pull,'" Jobs said.

Jobs told the Journal that Apple had sold $30 million worth of software at the Apple iPhone App Store in the first month. It also arbitrarily removed a $999 "I Am Rich" app that did little more than display a glowing gem.


Complete iPhone Coverage