Why did google change things so that it requires root to programmatically turn of Airplane Mode?

[AC Question]

Android no longer allows apps (like Tasker) to change the status of Airplane Mode.

From a user's perspective, this is stupid.

Surely from some other perspective, it made sense. Anyone know what that would be?

 

[SpookDroid]

The same reasoning behind they're SD Card restrictions: Security. I know that to you, as an user, letting an app handle the status of radios might be convenient, but from a security standpoint, it's not. You leave the doors open for a malicious app to take control of your radios, turn them on, and allow a targeted attack.