[pdkp]

Based on the article, it looks like the bricking/disabling occurred after an update to the latest version of the OS.

So, I don't think it is accurate to say that it 'allows remote control by its masters,' as it appears that they just added some sort of check in the latest version of their OS that can tell if the hardware is legit. There isn't any evidence, at least not in the article, that indicates they have some sort of remote control/phone home service running on the phone that allows them to control it arbitrarily.