We have waited a while to step into the fray of Carrier IQ in Canada. The reason? There is a lot of speculation, and a LOT of hyperbole, being thrown around, from “Android is insecure” to “This is the end of privacy!”
Carrier IQ seems to be a piece of software that, at the behest of the carrier, tracks certain information on a user’s phone. It can record keystrokes, app usage and even location, but at this point it is not known whether that info is ever sent back to the carrier. The upshot is that it is installed by the carrier, not by the manufacturer.
In the US, Carrier IQ has been found on Android, BlackBerry and Symbian devices from three of the top four carriers, and trace amounts have been uncovered in older iOS firmwares, though they don’t appear to be tracking anything. The discovery was made by a security researcher, Trevor Eckhart, who discovered the software on his Android device, calling the insidious inclusion a rootkit. Carrier IQ then sent him a cease-and-desist letter, which it then retracted as Eckhart was in his rights to pursue an investigation
Rogers has done an investigation and has confirmed that Carrier IQ is not present on any of its devices. On Twitter they stated that “Hi all. I’m happy to confirm that we have investigated and Carrier IQ is NOT on any of our devices”. TELUS also confirmed that they have not installed Carrier IQ on any of their devices. We are waiting to hear back from Bell.
Update: We’ve heard from Bell and Videotron. Both confirm that Carrier IQ is not on any of their devices. Bell stated in an email that “Bell doesn’t install or support Carrier IQ or similar programs. You may want to connect with the device manufacturers for the industry-wide perspective”. ^ IH
Update #2: Virgin also is included in the list of carriers now that Carrier IQ is not present on any of their devices. ^IH
Update #3: Fido has now come forth and followed the other carriers. On Twitter they noted that “Carrier IQ is not on any of our devices.” ^IH
Source: RogersMary (Twitter)
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