Motorola is disseminating a brief statement that confirms the eFuse technology included on its handsets will not brick your phone. According to Motorola, the eFuse technology is designed to ensure that the device is running only the updated and tested versions of software. If un-approved software is detected on the device, the device will not boot until the approved software is restored. Though eFuse will not brick an Android device, it will lock it down and prevent users from modifying the software on the device. With the talent and tenacity of the Android hacking community, hopefully this will only be a small stumbling block — as opposed to an insurmountable hurdle — for those looking to customize their device. Motorola’s full statement regarding the DROID X and eFuse is after the jump.
Motorola’s primary focus is the security of our end users and protection of their data, while also meeting carrier, partner and legal requirements. The Droid X and a majority of Android consumer devices on the market today have a secured bootloader. In reference specifically to eFuse, the technology is not loaded with the purpose of preventing a consumer device from functioning, but rather ensuring for the user that the device only runs on updated and tested versions of software. If a device attempts to boot with unapproved software, it will go into recovery mode, and can re-boot once approved software is re-installed. Checking for a valid software configuration is a common practice within the industry to protect the user against potential malicious software threats. Motorola has been a long time advocate of open platforms and provides a number of resources to developers to foster the ecosystem including tools and access to devices via MOTODEV at http://developer.motorola.com.
