Messages

1

T-Mobile Services / Re: T-Mobile and Carrier IQ, the story so far...

« on: December 02, 2011, 10:19:55 am »

All of this panic is the result of a whole load of people who do not know what the tool is used for and the benefit of using it. Ridiculous.

I fully understand what the tool is, and why they're using it. 

I further understand that *all* keystrokes are being logged.   I believe T-Mobile is not recording or transmitting them, but they are hitting the log, and a 3rd party app could intercept them.    If you're ok with that, cool.   I'm not ok with that, and it appears I'm not alone. 

2

T-Mobile Services / T-Mobile and Carrier IQ, the story so far...

« on: December 01, 2011, 10:55:37 pm »

Good Evening Folks!

Since the T-Mobile forum moderators on the official forums have gone totally MIA, and since I'd like to keep everyone up to date on what's happening, I started this topic for people to share information.   I'm especially concerned that some forum posts on the t-mobile support site may disappear (actually, at least one post from a t-mobile moderator which leaked some information about their Carrier IQ implementation *has* disappeared), I decided a repository of information would be a good thing to have. 

First things first:  The "mega-thread" which contains a lot of incendiary information about T-Mobile's carrier IQ implementation is available here:

http://support.t-mobile.com/thread/12505

The second post, which is still available, is from a T-Mobile moderator confirming that they are using CIQ.  There was a later post, which has since been deleted, which goes into a bit more detail, including the fact that all "recent blackberry and android phones" contain CIQ, and that's included at the bottom this story:

http://www.tmonews.com/2011/12/t-mobile-forum-moderator-confirms-presence-of-carrier-iq-software-in-t-mobile-smartphones/

Several people called T-Mobile last night to ask if their phone has the software included, and several models are sprinkled throughout the forum thread.  Even if your phone doesn't have it, your phone may include a software package called SWM-C, sold by a company called redbend.  This software allows T-Mobile to remove and/or install software to your phone without your permission or knowledge.   That's referenced here:

http://support.t-mobile.com/message/62537#62537

This evening, I opened an online chat session with T-Mobile support.  The highlights of that include these nuggets:

Jon C:  I have a MyTouch 4G Slide. How can the Carrier IQ software be removed?
_Ralph G:  I will check for you.
_Ralph G:  Consumer accounts will not have an option to disable CIQ. Business accounts will have a process in place to opt out (through account manager).
 
_Ralph G:  The software is provided by the manuafacturer to the customer and does not have to be provided by the carrier.
Jon C:  However, in this case, it is T-Mobile that is requesting it
Jon C:  And you yourself stated above that consumer accounts will not have an option to disable CIQ
Jon C:  Which strongly implies that you are aware of which devices/consumers are being afflicted with this software
Jon C:  And you are aware of which customers you are illegally wiretapping
_Ralph G:  Ok, just a moment.
_Ralph G:  CIQ does not collect any CPNI type of data (SMS content, browser history etc.). CIQ is in full compliance with customer-specified policies. The systems provide robust security mechanisms to assure the data cannot be accessed by unauthorized users. When customer proprietary data sets are collected (i.e. phone calls, location information etc.), it is only available when the customer calls in to help resolve specific customer issues. Customer verification is required through QuickView. Security permissions are rigorously enforced and audit trails are maintained.

To sum that up... business customers will be allowed to opt out.  Regular consumers will not.

I should also add that ever since I posted that into the support forum, T-Mobile's online support chat has been down.  That's probably not coincidental. 

Finally, an attempt to email a (probably) PR person for t-mobile failed.  I tried to email them regarding a "don't worry, just trust us about this whole Carrier IQ deal" document that appeared on their support site at this address:

http://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-2929

This was the content of what I attempted to email them:

I have a question concerning your document.  While I do believe you that T-Mobile will not collect the contents of our messages, texts, or voice messages, the fact is that these things are being stored on our device.  Further, the information is available for other programs to see.  The fact that the information is available to other programs has been demonstrated, and is accepted knowledge at this time.

This is totally unacceptable.

Since you *are* giving business customers a way to opt out of the program, do you plan on extending the same courtesy to private customers?  If not, will you be sending a notification out stating that keystrokes, texts, and internet destinations are being stored on devices in a way that allows other programs access to that information?

Will you allow those of us in contract to cancel our contracts, with no early ETF, if you do not give us the option to opt out of this potential data gathering?

I look forward to your response.

If anyone else comes across any information, please add it to this thread!