AD calls for investigation into mobile phone operators’ operation
Green party says software being used to track user activity and send data to carriers without users’ knowledge.
Carrier IQ is a software that has been used to track user activity and to send data to carriers without customers knowledge.
Alternattiva Demokratika is calling for an investigation in to the usage of Carrier IQ, a software that has been used to track user activity and to send data to carriers without customers' knowledge.
"While the debate on data privacy is raging in north European countries, it is surprising that neither the Data Protection Commissioner nor the Maltese Communications Authority has investigated any of the recent revelations regarding the integration of software from Carrier IQ on mobile phones," Henrik Piski, spokesperson for IT and communication of Alternattiva, said.
"Both authorities have to make sure that this software has not been used by the local mobile phone operators, and if it had been used, to reveal which information had been sent to the operators."
Trevor Eckhart, a 25-year-old programmer, drew attention to Carrier IQ software in a YouTube video - now with nearly two million views - in which he demonstrated how Carrier IQ's software recorded user activity, including keystrokes, phone numbers dialled, text messages and even encrypted Internet searches.
AD chairperson Michael Briguglio said that EU law, personal data can only be gathered legally under strict conditions, for a legitimate purpose. Furthermore, persons or organisations which collect and manage your personal information must protect it from misuse and must respect certain rights of the data owners which are guaranteed by EU law. "It is the role of the authorities, namely the Data Commissioner and the Malta Communications Authority, to safeguard these fundamental rights."
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In reality, all the fuss the media does over e-mails and sms's by Ministers is all a waste of time, this is my warning to all, whatever you write on the internet whether encrypted or with a password is all available to a normal hacker. Shall we call this hacker, a professional IT technician or programmer. I guarantee you, if you send information that is sensitive via e-mail or mobile through the internet and world wide web, it "can" be read and seen by that 'hacker'. This is not paranoia, its a fact, you can be traced by anyone, in fact the joke of the day is, the older the phone the better the security (so to say). So having those basic Nokia phones with black and white LCD screens, 2002 models are best for security. As regards to computers, if its on your computer and you're connected to the internet, its available to that particular person. So if you want it kept secret, keep it in your head.
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'Strikes me these mobile 'phones are becoming more trouble than they are worth.
