Smartphone Spyware Claims Against Carrier IQ
Free spyware removal smartphone spyware Carrier IQ
In November 2011, it was discovered that Carrier IQ software, possible smartphone spyware installed on some 150 million mobile devices worldwide, was logging information such as a cell phone customer’s location without notifying or allowing them to opt-out, and that the information being tracked was done by keylogging, a possible violation of federal law.
Carrier IQ denied allegations of smartphone spyware keylogging, and other forms of tracking. Keylogging can reveal what cell phone users type on their keypads, capturing passwords to websites, and other sensitive information. A YouTube video showed Carrier IQ’s software behaving as smartphone spyware, processing keystrokes, browser data, and the contents of text messages, but there was no proof that the information processed was recorded or transmitted. Carrier IQ responded with the statement, “The metrics and tools we derive are not designed to deliver such information, nor do we have any intention of developing such tools.”
If Carrier’s claim is untrue, the process of sending usage data is in conflict with Carrier IQ’s own privacy policy stating: “When Carrier IQ’s products are deployed, data gathering is done in a way where the end user is informed or involved.”
Many entites have already begun seeking lawsuits against Carrier IQ for smartphone spyware, including:
- The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- United States Department of Justice (DOJ)
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
- Sprint Nextel
- T-Mobile
On December 1, 2011, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile confirmed Carrier IQ was installed on their phones. Sprint said, “We collect enough information to understand the customer experience with devices on our network and how to address any connection problems, but we do not and cannot look at the contents of messages, photos, videos, etc., using this tool…” Apple, HTC and Samsung said the software was installed on their phones. Apple said it had quit supporting the program; HTC (Android) said, it was required on its mobile devices by a “number of U.S. carriers.” Nokia and Research in Motion (Blackberry) said Carrier IQ was not authorized for their phones, but, mobile carriers can installing it after the phone is manufactured. NEC mobile devices also have the software installed.
Of the four biggest U.S. smartphone producers, only Verizon said Carrier was not installed on their phones.
All these phone manufacturers/carriers claim the Carrier IQ software is only used to monitor its phone systems, not to be used as smartphone spyware for third parties, such as marketing companies. However a press release from October 19, 2011 announced a possible smartphone spyware partnership with the Nielsen Company: “Together, they will deliver critical insights into the consumer experience of mobile phone and tablet users worldwide, which adhere to Nielsen’s measurement science and privacy standards. This alliance will leverage Carrier IQ’s technology platform to gather actionable intelligence on the performance of mobile devices and networks.”
Concerned about smartphone spyware, Senator Al Franken (D-MN), chairman of the United States Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law, sent a letter to Larry Lenhart (president and CEO of Carrier IQ), asking for answers to charges the company violated the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, including the federal wiretap statute, the pen register statute, and the Stored Communications Act, and the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.
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