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Carrier IQ ‘not used’ by major UK mobile networks

By | December 2, 2011, 6:09am PST

Summary: Mobile networks in the UK have been quick to deny that the phones they sell, to the best of their knowledge; do not contain the mobile tracking Carrier IQ software.

While many U.S. networks use the controversial mobile tracking and network diagnostic software on its handheld devices, a number of UK network have all issued statements to deny that they use the software.

Carrier IQ issued a revised statement yesterday afternoon to point the finger at not only the U.S. carriers for using the service it provides, but the unwitting customers for accepting the terms and conditions set out by the mobile networks.

Last week, a researcher discovered that the tracking software records keystrokes, and even transactions made on mobile websites. Though the company denies that it uses the vast majority of this data, the fact that it still happens has worried many, and angered even more.

Carrier IQ said that it has installed the “mobile intelligence” solution on over 140 million handsets worldwide, according to the Guardian, though it is unclear how far this extends to European mobile networks.

O2 said that it “doesn’t collect” any information via Carrier IQ,

Orange and Vodafone also confirmed that they do not use the software, and to the best of its knowledge did not sell phones with the tracking software installed.

T-Mobile UK confirmed in a tweet to a customer: ”Carrier IQ software is not and has not been installed on any T-Mobile phones”.

Three said that its phones do not contain the mobile tracking software, and that the network does not use the software for network diagnostics.

While Vodafone Portugal said that it had used the software in devices on its network, it ceased the trial in 2009 and no longer collects mobile information.

Though other networks exist in the UK, many are owned by one of the aforementioned parent companies. It is unlikely that any other mobile network subsidiary uses the technology either.

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Topics

Mobile Network, Mobile, Network, U.K., Carrier, Mobile Security, Cellular Phones, Wireless And Mobility, Networking, Consumer Electronics, Personal Technology, Zack Whittaker

Zack Whittaker, a criminologist who studied at the University of Kent, Canterbury, is a journalist, writer and broadcaster.

Disclosure

Zack Whittaker

I worked briefly with Microsoft UK in 2006 but no longer have any connection with the company. Regardless, I remain impartial and unbiased in my views.

I don't hold any stock or shares, investments or industrial secrets in any company, but have signed confidentiality agreements with a number of UK and U.S. organisations, whose names I am not at liberty to disclose.

I was involved with Kent Union, the University of Kent's student union, undertaking voluntary, non-salaried, elected positions between early 2009 and mid-2010.

No other company, body, government department, non-governmental organisation or third sector organisation employs me or pays me a salary in any capacity whatsoever.

As a freelance journalist, whenever expenses are given and taken by a company that is not CBS Interactive, these will be disclosed in each relevant post to ensure transparency.

I currently work with a UK law enforcement unit. Details of which are restricted, but this is an entirely separate position which bears no connection to other work.

(Updated: 23rd October 2011)

Biography

Zack Whittaker

Zack Whittaker, criminologist who studied at the University of Kent, UK, is a journalist, writer and broadcaster.

After studying criminology at university, though still in his early-20's, he has already had a series unconventional work and voluntary positions. He has worked with researchers studying neurological illnesses like Tourette's syndrome (which he suffers from), has given lectures on the nature of disabilities in the public community, and occasionally ends up speaking on television and radio discussing the events of the day.

He first had academic work published at the age of 22, then still an undergraduate, and has been cited by a wide range of publications: from the Huffington Post, Business Insider, AllThingsDigital, The Atlantic Wire and CBS News.

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