Apple has once again addressed the issue of users circumventing software protections or "jailbreaking" on the iPhone.

The company posted a tech support article warning that users who modify their iPhones and iPod Touch handsets run the risk of encountering all sorts of stability and security problems:

As designed by Apple, the iPhone OS ensures that the iPhone and iPod touch operate reliably. Some customers have not understood the risks of installing software that makes unauthorized modifications to the iPhone OS ("jailbreaking") on their iPhone or iPod touch.

Nothing too earth-shattering. Of course those who jailbreak their handsets know of the risk of unintended use of a device, just as those who would hot-rod a car or overclock a processor.

What is news is that this is really the strongest stance Apple has taken against jailbreaking thus far. Up until now, the company has been more or less dismissive of the process, saying that while they won't go after users who jailbreak the phone, they also won't have any sympathy if the device gets damaged by software updates and the like.

But is that fair? Should the company do a bit more to support jailbroken handsets, or at least provide some sort of rescue or recorvery tool in the event of a "brick" update that damages modified phones?

On one hand, the company shouldn't be held accountable for the hacks people make after buying the iPhone. It's not Apple's fault that you went and tinkered with your phone.

Then again, isn't the company's own policy around the iPhone and iPod Touch what's still driving the jailbreaking practice? The company's heavy hand in rejecting software from the App Store has begun to push software outside of the walled garden, and some of those rejected apps are things that people want.

Rejecting defective or malcious software is one thing, but Apple is also rejecting apps that are deemed by the company to be profane, and others that compete with Apple products. That goes far beyond basic maintenance and security.

If Apple is going to be so strict and picky with what goes into the App Store, it can't expect users to not look elsewhere for software. To that end, maybe they should do more to support jailbroken handsets.

That doesn't mean they have to bend over backwards and painstakingly test each new update on every possible hack, but some basic things like a recovery tool or a compatibility tester would be very welcome and could possibly save the company a lot of disgruntled customers down the line.