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The new version 2.x firmware contains a URL which the device uses to periodically look up a list of blacklisted apps. Any of these applications which are installed on the handset will be disabled, although that list currently contains no applications.

The feature is a safeguard against any applications that are found to contain malware after their approval claims Apple.

"Hopefully we never have to pull that lever, but we would be irresponsible not

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to have a lever like that to pull," says Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple, speaking to the Wall Street Journal.

"Think about it: if you know about a malicious piece of software that invades your privacy, how irresponsible is it to let the application continue to run," asks Jonathan Zdziarski, the security researcher who uncovered the kill switch, although he doesn't rule out other possible uses in the future.

"Either it is an anti-malware solution, and has a switch somewhere to vaporise any app, or it's not an anti-malware solution and is really designed to kill applications that interfere with Apple's business model."

Apple also claimed that the removal of the "I Am Rich" application, which had no practical use but cost $999.99, was a "judgment call".

Over $1 million a day is currently being spent at the application store, with a total sale of over 60 million applications.