Apple blocks Java on Macs due to vulnerabilities - Business - The Boston Globe

Proactive and paternalistic platform protection?  Also see Firefox Moves To Block Java, Silverlight, Adobe Reader (InformationWeek)

"Apple sends out virtual ‘‘blacklists’’ to Internet-connected Macs, instructing them not to run certain programs. Apple is blocking the latest version of Java from running on the most recent versions of its Mac operating system, and blocking an older version, Java 6, from running on the older version of its Mac system, called Snow Leopard.
The blocks affect programs and online games that use Java in Web browsers."

Apple blocks Java on Macs due to vulnerabilities - Business - The Boston Globe