Google remotely removes suspect Android apps

Google's Android has been criticised by security experts

Google has revealed that it has remotely removed two suspect applications from Android users' devices.

The company explained in a blog post that a security researcher had published two free applications on Android Market which "intentionally misrepresented their purpose in order to encourage downloads".

The researcher has voluntarily removed the applications from the Android apps store but, despite believing the apps to be harmless, Google used its remote application removal feature to "complete the clean up".

Google stressed that the applications were not "designed to be used maliciously", and were not able to access private data.

The search firm added that the applications were created for research purposes, and that it expects most users to have uninstalled them after discovering that they were "practically useless".

Rich Cannings, Android security lead, said in the blog post that the remote application removal feature is "one of many security controls" the firm has in its arsenal to protect Android users from malicious applications.

"In case of an emergency, a dangerous application could be removed from active circulation in a rapid and scalable manner to prevent further exposure to users," he added.

"While we hope to not have to use it, we know that we have the capability to take swift action on behalf of users' safety when needed."

Google has declined to name the application or the researcher who designed it.

The announcement follows a report earlier this week by security vendor SMobile Systems which claimed that one fifth of Android applications are vulnerable to third-party hackers owing to the open-source nature of the publishing model.

Google responded by dismissing the claims as "false".