So, being an avid follower of tech and geeky stuff, I have been following the issues with CarrierIQ with interest. For those who don't know I will give a breif run-down. CarrierIQ make tracking software that collects all, and I mean ALL, the information off your phone. This includes what apps you use, what websites you got to (ie. mobile internet banking), where you go (via your GPS and tower triangulation), who you call, how long the calls are, if you use a bluetooth car kit. It is believed that it even logs your passwords and user names, which is awesome if they also log what bank sites you visit.
This software exists in virtually every phone. Some carriers or manufacturers may or may not use it. Android have distanced themselves from the issue by saying that they do not include it in the Android Base ROM. It is added by the manufacturers or, more commonly, the carriers. Apple have no excuse as they control their product from start to finish, they manufacture the hardware and software adn do not allow carriers to change the base code.
It has now also been alleged, and virtually proven, that the FBI have access to the information collected. obviously this is a major privacy issue. However it is not 100% known if it is use in Australia. Personally I would not be taking any chances, especially after the hackings of companies that were previously seen as bulletproof such as Sony and Valve/Steam. If someone gets access to this info we are all screwed.
You can try and protect yourself. On Apple devices, you need to find the menu option about sending information back to Apple and disable it. The second thing you need to do is wake up to yourself and get a WP7 or Android device. Most Apple users don't realise that Apple can change your device remotely at any time, and you agreed to that when you first powered the device on. Android users can install a custom ROM, I recommend Cyanogen Mod. It is what I base my own custom ROM on. They are very easy to install and they are based on the Google Base ROM so they have no nasty manufacturer or carrier surprises on them. You don't need any programming knowledge and once it is on there you just carry on like normal and your phone will do all the same stuff.
There will be a normal Journal for today, but I didn't want to include this in it.
