In a society today, it is hard to find someone who is not toting around a cell phone or hand held device. The more that technology flourishes, the more susceptible we become to upgrading our phones and devices.
With each upgrade, new software springs forth our ability to check and go in our ever-demanding schedules. But, what if your software doesn’t just want to check and go? What if it wants to check and store all of your text messaging, internet browsing and calling data?
In the past weeks, backlash has been pouring in from multiple sources; you cannot help but stop and wonder, “What is this buzz about Carrier IQ? Does it affect me? Should I be worried?” For those of you that are newly aware or have heard of the issue, Carrier IQ is a mobile intelligence firm that provides logging software for most phones hosted by T-Mobile, AT&T and Sprint as well as previous versions of the iPhone before iOS5. With Apple recently announcing its removal of the software all together in future updates, it’s hard not to wonder if this software hosted by Carrier IQ is more of a threat than previously thought.
After a video on YouTube went viral showing the software’s ability to log SMS messages and internet searches, people are outraged and curious as to what exactly their phones are capable of. When questioned about the software, companies such as T-Mobile said that Carrier IQ’s technology is used for operator and manufacturer assistance with troubleshooting only, never for wiretapping. However, senators and citizens have been left questioning Carrier IQ’s genuineness in this case. Leading names such as HTC and Samsung have filed lawsuits under violation of the Federal Wiretap Act. With all of this speculation around the possibility of personal privacy being evaded, it poses the question: Are we being stupid about our smart phones? Do we trust too much in big name companies to always ensure our privacy and safety? With the emergence of this issue and other privacy issues regarding cell phones and the internet, some people may be scratching their heads and claiming, “How and why does it do that?” For others, it may be an awakening truth about our reliance on technology and whether or not companies like Carrier IQ really respect our privacy fully. Time will only tell for the fate of Carrier IQ, but the effects are sure to be lasting if this is found to be a form of wiretapping.
*Carrier IQ’s software is in near 140 million devices in the US including phones, smart phones, and tablets. To check to see if your phone has Carrier IQ’s software, you can download Eckhart’s Logging Test App from the Android Market. https://market.android.com/details?id=com.treve.loggingkey
SOURCES
- mashable.com/2011/12/01/carrier-iq-faq
- techcrunch.com/2011/12/02/carrier-iq-samsung-and-htc-all-facing-class-action-lawsuits
- wired.com/threatlevel/2011/12/carrier-iq-backlash