Carrier IQ's Key-logging Software Records Android, BlackBerry Processes Without User Permission
An Android developer revealed that a company’s software installed on millions of devices is recording everything users do on their phones.
Carrier IQ has installed the software on most modern Android, Blackberry, and Nokia phones.
Trevor Eckhart, 25, revealed his findings in a 17-minute long video. The video shows how the application chronicles everything a user does.
Between times 11:30 and 13:30 of the video, it is clearly shown how the software logs every keystroke and text message made on the screen. The video can be viewed below.
Eckhart called the software “Rootkit.”
Carrier IQ threatened legal action against Eckhart, until Electronic Frontier Foundation came to his rescue. EFF claimed Carrier IQ’s threats were baseless and the First Amendment protected Eckhart.
After the incident, Carrier IQ released a statement citing their software makes a user’s phone “work better by identifying dropped calls and poor service. Our software identifies problems that impede a phone’s battery life. Our software makes customer service quicker, more accurate, and more efficient. Our software helps quickly identify trending problems to help mobile networks prevent them from becoming more widespread.”
According to Wired, the application cannot be turned off “without rooting the phone and replacing the operating system,” “and even if you stop paying for wireless service from your carrier and decide to just use Wi-Fi, your device still reports to Carrier IQ.”
Eckhart siad he wonders why users were not made aware of this application and why there is not a way to disable it.
