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December 2, 2011

Carrier IQ faces flak for its ‘spyware’

US security researcher Trevor Eckhart had exposed the way Carrier IQ software could snoop

By CBR Staff Writer

Carrier IQ, the analytics firm under flak for its software which can track cell phone activity, has stated in its latest explanation as to what its technology can or cannot do.

According to US security researcher Trevor Eckhart, its hidden application installed on millions of smartphones might be tracking your every move.

According to Eckhart, it can track locations, websites browsed, keylogs, among other things. He had exposed the way Carrier IQ software could snoop in a video posted online.

The company said that while they are looking at many aspects of a device’s performance, they are counting and summarising performance, not recording keystrokes or providing tracking tools. It added, "The metrics and tools we derive are not designed to deliver such information, nor do we have any intention of developing such tools."

Meanwhile, Apple went on record saying that it stopped supporting Carrier IQ with the new iOS 5 mobile operating system in most of its products. It added that it would withdraw it completely in a future software update.

Nokia and BlackBerry issued statements to the press denying that they install or authorise Carrier IQ software on their smartphones.
Carrier IQ, which initially threatened Eckhart with legal action, retracted after lawyers at the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) came to his defense.

Meanwhile, Carrier IQ also said that it "vigorously disagrees" accusations that the company had violated wiretap laws.

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