Tons of news floating around this morning about Carrier IQ's software that's installed on nearly all mobile phones logs and reports nearly every action a user does; texts, calls, webpages, passwords, etc.
Do you use an affected device (Android, Nokia, BlackBerry)? What are your thoughts on this issue? Will it drive you to root your phone?
From Wired: Though the software is installed on most modern Android, BlackBerry and Nokia phones, Carrier IQ was virtually unknown until 25-year-old Trevor Eckhart of Connecticut analyzed its workings, revealing that the software secretly chronicles a user’s phone experience — ostensibly so carriers and phone manufacturers can do quality control.
Via: www.wired.com/threatlevel/2011/11/secret-software-...
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Android users: Are you worried about the Carrier IQ data logging issue?
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dave's pick
I do agree with frankspin that there's generally unlikely to be a malicious use-case for it most of the time in terms of active privacy violations, but the fact that it e.g. skirts past HTTPS by logging the post-encrypted traffic is such a fundamental breach of trust that it makes any such concerns moot - this is as bad as any piece of malware out there.
And whatever the vendor says about that - I'm sure they'll weasel out of it by saying "oh, we made an error in our original code" etc, it lays absolutely out in the open their attitude to user privacy.
I say class-action these effs into oblivion.I'm off to fetch my pitchfork and blazing torch.
And whatever the vendor says about that - I'm sure they'll weasel out of it by saying "oh, we made an error in our original code" etc, it lays absolutely out in the open their attitude to user privacy.
I say class-action these effs into oblivion.I'm off to fetch my pitchfork and blazing torch.
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dave's pick
At this point I can't see why anyone would buy an Android device that wasn't free of carrier/manufacturer meddling. The thing is, most normal consumers (not the people on GDGT) don't know the difference.
So no, I'm not worried about it because I've only ever owned plain vanilla Android phones and my next phone will the the Galaxy Nexus. If Samsung or Verizon puts Carrier IQ on that device, I'm going to be pissed.
So no, I'm not worried about it because I've only ever owned plain vanilla Android phones and my next phone will the the Galaxy Nexus. If Samsung or Verizon puts Carrier IQ on that device, I'm going to be pissed.
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I'm a bit on the fence with this. The naive part of me wants to trust they're using the data for proper use ie troubleshooting issues or enhancing coverage which I understand is in the interest of the carrier and manufacture. I would not put it past them though to be using this for gain and target marketing.
There is the part of me that just doesn't care about this stuff anymore because I'm convinced in some way shape or form it's already happening with the services we use every day. Take Google for example, their whole ad service is pushed by targeting their ads towards a users browsing & search habits.
There is the part of me that just doesn't care about this stuff anymore because I'm convinced in some way shape or form it's already happening with the services we use every day. Take Google for example, their whole ad service is pushed by targeting their ads towards a users browsing & search habits.
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Hopefully the EFF will file some sort of class action suit against CarrierIQ. If it's on most Android, Blackberry, and Nokia phones, that's a pretty large number of people. Bankrupt CarrierIQ and make an example of them.
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I'm not so much worried about the issue as much as the fact that CarrierIQ tried to cover it up with a C&D. That suggests to me that there is something sketchy going on.
On another note, according to The Verge, the Google Experience Devices (Nexus S, Galaxy Nexus, Motorola Xoom, etc...) do not come with CarrierIQ: www.theverge.com/2011/12/1/2602313/google-nexus-an...
On another note, according to The Verge, the Google Experience Devices (Nexus S, Galaxy Nexus, Motorola Xoom, etc...) do not come with CarrierIQ: www.theverge.com/2011/12/1/2602313/google-nexus-an...
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I want to root my phone but not for this reason. It's just something I've always wanted to do (tinker, tinker, tinker).
I have always used my phones as if they aren't secure and have always figured that the data is being tracked in one way or another. It doesn't really bother me because it's not hurting me. I'm honestly not sure if that means I am apathetic but I'm also not sure what harm could be done to me via any data captured from my phone. I do not use it to make purchases or to access secure areas related to my personal finances or my job.
I'm going to have to take the position of a fence sitter and hope I don't end up chaffing.
I have always used my phones as if they aren't secure and have always figured that the data is being tracked in one way or another. It doesn't really bother me because it's not hurting me. I'm honestly not sure if that means I am apathetic but I'm also not sure what harm could be done to me via any data captured from my phone. I do not use it to make purchases or to access secure areas related to my personal finances or my job.
I'm going to have to take the position of a fence sitter and hope I don't end up chaffing.
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You know, the more I think about this, the more I want to see a list of affected phones by carrier. Since it was not on my Photon, it has me wondering if Sprint put it on other phones or if their hands are clean. I would bet money without knowing the specifics that AT&T and Verizon both put this on their phones... it would fit perfectly with their corporate history. I am wondering about Sprint and T-Mobile, though. If one or both of them were shown to be clean in this regard, perhaps that would be enough to get more people to switch over to them and give the boost they need to stay relevant in the future.
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I want to think that whatever data they are collecting is being used for good, like they claim, but if that's the case I don't see why they went through so much trouble to hide it from users. While I'm not overly concerned, I'm not going to say I wasn't happy to see that it Carrier IQ isn't on Nexus devices.
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No I will not root my phone but it has made me even more wary about what I use my android phone (Droid X) for. I have not been happy with android and will be moving to the iphone when my contract is up. I will not root the phone because it could open me up to more pernicious forms of spying and attacks. Anyone who is worried about privacy needs to forgo carrying any kind of electronic device.
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I call it BS and FUD. Your wireless carrier and ISP know a lot more about you than they tell you.
Plus, it should be highlighted that the CarrierIQ bits are only present in devices where the carrier has requested it. AFAIK, the CarrierIQ bits are not present in any unlocked device, or any device not sold by a carrier.
Plus, it should be highlighted that the CarrierIQ bits are only present in devices where the carrier has requested it. AFAIK, the CarrierIQ bits are not present in any unlocked device, or any device not sold by a carrier.
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The big issue for me is that carrier iq seems to break HTTPS encryption and may violate wiretap laws. I would think that the average user does not have much to worry about but in the corporate world this is very serious because many executives use their mobile devices constantly and this malware could expose confidential information.
I tried loading the software that allows you to check if carrier iq is on your device and at least Verizon wireless is blocking the download. Before this situation came up I never considered rooting my phone and I'm not sure if you can root a verizon wireless cdma phone.
I tried loading the software that allows you to check if carrier iq is on your device and at least Verizon wireless is blocking the download. Before this situation came up I never considered rooting my phone and I'm not sure if you can root a verizon wireless cdma phone.
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