Carrier IQ is Dead, Long Live Carrier IQ

Carrier IQ is dead, long live Carrier IQ seems to be the subtext of the latest news involving an AT&T acquisition and yes…Carrier IQ.

To refresh our memories, Carrier IQ is the villain of 2011 when our privacy (or the lack if therefore) become a hot topic bound to linger around for a while. With the NSA, mobile carriers, the government and everyone else in a tight bundle of creeping user-data spying agents, Carrier IQ played its part.

It was soon after public that 140 million mobile devices had been tracked by Carrier IQ. These guys knew literally everything about your mobile activity. In between calls, text messages, applications installed, browsing history, location and anything else one might be doing with their smartphones, it’s not too hard to sell this type of treasure trove to the highest bidder. It’s also not too difficult to create profiles with just that information.

Just as we thought it’s simmering down, a TechCrunch report stated that AT&T and Carrier IQ have struck a deal. Wait, what? Carrier IQ is still around? With the treasure trove in hand, the company gave data and feedback to carrier and companies under the circumstances of the latter being able to improve their services, as well as cater to their clients’ needs all the better.

When the whole privacy issue exploded, Carrier IQ was in hot water along with the companies using user data collected here. Companies allegedly dropped Carrier IQ services and lawsuits followed. In 2014, the privacy violation lawsuit against Carrier IQ was settled. Abandoned, one would have thought that Carrier IQ was done with. However, Carrier IQ is dead, long live Carrier IQ.

AT&T seems to have purchased Carrier IQ software, but not the company. Still, with the software, some staff members came along. It’s not a takeover, is it?

According to a spokesperson quoted by TechCrunch:

“We use CIQ software solely to improve the customer’s network and wireless service experience. This is in line with our Privacy Policy and provides a great benefit to users of our network”.

In addition, Ericson, Teradata, Symphony Teleca, IBM are Carrier IQ customers while T-Mobile is also making use of the company’s software.

Photo Credits: Pexels