Application Monitors Keystrokes, Physical Location
INDIANAPOLIS — Hoosiers who use Smartphones are concerned about their privacy after a software company revealed many of the devices are loaded with a spyware application. California company Carrier IQ developed the app for millions of Smartphones and said the spyware is for quality control, not for invading users’ privacy. A security researcher accused the company of installing the spyware on the devices and even posted a YouTube video of the program secretly monitoring users browsing history, keystrokes and physical location. Ken Faulk with the American Civil Liberties Union said the spyware oversteps privacy boundaries. “To the extent that there are devices on the market that aggregate a lot of information, that doesn’t raise a constitutional concern, but it does raise a privacy concern,” Faulk said. Company officials said the spyware only measures the performance of the device to deliver better service, not to view email, photos or videos, 6News’ Chris Proffitt reported. ATT, Sprint, and TMobile officials said they use the software to improve their wireless networks. Many Hoosier Smartphone users said the app was an invasion of their privacy. “It’s malicious if you’re getting someone’s information without letting them know,” Smartphone user Sikhulile Dube said. Smartphone user Jennifer Saferight agreed. “You pay enough money for the phone. I think you’re also paying for a little privacy there,” Saferight said. U.S. Senator Al Franken of Minnesota had demanded that the company explain its business practices within the next two weeks.
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