You don't have to jailbreak to avoid updates - neither Apple nor app developers have the ability to force updates upon your phone. Both iTunes and the App Store ask for permission before updating your device and apps.

There is the remote app killswitch functionality, but Android has that as well.

Can you turn off the remote app killswitch?

Reminds me of the loss of functionality for the Amazon readers to auto-read files. It was done by Amazon and pushed to all hardware/software.

I don't believe iPhone or Android devices have a user-facing toggle... there might be some way to hack it out, but I'm not sure.

I don't think it's ever been used on either device, so it hasn't exactly been a burning issue yet; the stated purpose is only in the event of a highly malicious application.

Mine is a stock iPhone. No jailbreaking or other shenanigans.