Update from FTDI
Well it appears as though FTDI has listened to the feedback they've been getting (though some people think they may have had an awkward conversation with Microsoft's WHQL team about damaging hardware). Apparently the driver has been removed from windows update.
http://www.ftdichipblog.com/?p=1053 At present the driver is still available on the website though in the announcement they said they will issue a new driver shortly.
It appears as though the crisis may have been averted.
/EDIT: Spoke too soon.
While the latest driver won't soft-brick devices it will not work with them. Fortunately the solution is easy:
Either go on FTDI's website and download and install the 2.08 driver. Or in Device Manager use the Roll Back Driver button in the driver properties to roll back to version 2.10.0.0