Carrier IQ has has a bad week and it could get worse for the company accused of putting in software in millions of smartphones that might be tracking the actions of its users. Today, US House of Representatives member Edward Markey (D-Mass.) called for the Federal Trade Commission to look into the actions of Carrier IQ.
In his request to the FTC, Markey said:
I have serious concerns about the Carrier IQ software and whether it is secretly collecting users’ personal information, such as the content of text message. Consumers and families need to understand who is siphoning off and storing their personal information every time they use their smart phone. I am asking the Federal Trade Commission to investigate this practice, and I will continue to monitor this important privacy issue.
Markey is the same Congressman who has also expressed his privacy issues with Amazon's cloud-based Silk web browser that is included in the new Kindle Fire tablet.
Meanwhile, Carrier IQ has issued yet another media alert, repeating its claims that its software has been placed inside smartphones in order to help wireless carriers provide better performance in their systems. The press release added, "Carrier IQ is aware of various commentators alleging Carrier IQ has violated wiretap laws and we vigorously disagree with these assertions."
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