The Malaysian Insider :: Features
The Malaysian Insider :: Features |
| Carrier IQ smartphone snooping row heats up Posted: 02 Dec 2011 01:55 AM PST  Hidden software that tracks activity on smartphones is sparking an uproar. — AFP pic Senator Al Franken sent an open letter to California-based Carrier IQ as smartphone titans Apple, Nokia, and Research In Motion (RIM) distanced themselves from the company's controversial software. "This is potentially a very serious matter," Franken said in the letter. "It appears that Carrier IQ's software captures a broad swath of extremely sensitive information from users that would appear to have nothing to do with diagnostics — including who they are calling, the contents of the texts they are receiving, the contents of their searches and the websites they visit." If Carrier IQ stealthily snoops in ways detailed by smartphone security researcher Trevor Eckhart, it could be breaking federal law, the senator said in his letter. Franken enclosed a list of questions for Carrier IQ and requested answers by December 14. He sought details regarding what information Carrier IQ recorded, what was done with it and how it was safeguarded. Carrier IQ did not respond to requests for comment. But on its website, it said that "while we look at many aspects of a device's performance, we are counting and summarising performance, not recording keystrokes or providing tracking tools." "The metrics and tools we derive are not designed to deliver such information, nor do we have any intention of developing such tools," it continued. Carrier IQ explained on the website that its software is embedded in smartphones by handset makers and that information collected is for the exclusive use of those customers, who can customise applications to suit their desires. "Our software is designed to help mobile network providers diagnose critical issues that leads to problems such as dropped calls and battery drain," another notice at the Carrier IQ website maintained. Apple went on record saying that it stopped supporting Carrier IQ with the new iOS 5 mobile operating system in most of its products and will remove it completely in a future software update. Apple maintained that gadget users had to opt in to share diagnostic data with Apple, and information was anonymous and encrypted. Nokia and BlackBerry released media statements denying that they have installed or authorised Carrier IQ software on handsets. The releases came after Eckhart described finding hidden Carrier IQ software that tracks activity on Android, BlackBerry and Nokia handsets. He exposed the workings of Carrier IQ in a video available online. Eckhart's video showed Carrier IQ software buried deep in an Android-powered smartphone recording buttons pressed, Internet search queries, text messages and locations. Eckhart typed a text message of "Hello world!" only to have it instantly appear in a Carrier IQ application log in an Android phone. The software was tricky to find on the device and couldn't be turned off, according to his demonstration. Carrier IQ had tried to silence Echkart with a cease-and-desist letter threatening legal action, but backed off after lawyers at the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) went to his defence. "Mr. Eckhart's legitimate and truthful research is sheltered by both the fair use doctrine and the First Amendment," EFF senior staff attorney Marcia Hofmann wrote in a response to the Carrier IQ letter. Along with Franken, Eckhart wanted details regarding why the Carrier IQ software was vacuuming information about smartphone use and who they shared it with. — AFP-Relaxnews Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
| Professor is dumpster-diving urban Robin Hood Posted: 01 Dec 2011 08:16 PM PST FORT WORTH, Texas, Dec 2 — University professor Jeff Ferrell is something of a US urban Robin Hood, although what he gives away is not stolen but the result of dumpster diving. The Texas Christian University (TCU) professor of sociology sifts through dumpsters and gives the vast majority of what he finds to the needy or to friends. He has also managed to furnish his living room with what is left, filled a tool shed with a collection of everything from screws to power tools, and never pays for a bar of soap or office supplies.  Where the iPhone figures in Ferrell's scheme: "When a new iPhone comes out every six months, that absolutely causes iPhones to be thrown away." — Reuters pic The energetic, lanky professor with spiky hair is passionate about the ill effects of consumerism on society. "I think it's appalling on the level of just sheer waste and full landfills," he said in an interview at his house. "I think it's also profoundly disturbing given the level of need in our society." Ferrell's wife, Karen, buys groceries and not all her clothes come from the dumpster, and some of their furnishings did not come from the trash. But Ferrell says he never buys clothes for himself. Scrounging is his word for what he does. When he moved to Texas 10 years ago from Arizona, Ferrell decided to live off other people's discards. He blames a rushed culture for the habit of throwing things away instead of donating them to charity. "That stuff needs to be put back in the rhythm of our society," he said. "When a new iPhone comes out every six months, that absolutely causes iPhones to be thrown away." The same goes for new styles and colours in fashion. He stretches out a leg clad in good-looking jeans. "I found these. These are low-cut. Who cares?" Ferrell, who is also a visiting criminology professor at the University of Kent in England, has written nine books, including "Empire of Scrounge" in 2006. He said he detected a "meanness in our society toward the poor." "We don't think they're deserving," he said. "That's where I come in — to intervene in that process." Phil Harvey, a long-time friend who has gone along on scrounging trips, said Ferrell searched with an almost scientific precision for things that had value. "You want to think that sometimes it's just Jeff looking under rocks and trying to find beauty when there's just a bunch of earthworms," Harvey said. "Nine times out of 10, it's that we're just a bunch of wasteful buffoons." Ferrell sorts his findings in a room at the back of the house. He knows what is needed where. A stack of thick wool blankets is for the homeless shelters, which also need backpacks and blue jeans. A small shop near his home gets small appliances and other items. Once he supplied a group of immigrant students at TCU, who were learning how to service their bicycles, with sets of tools for each of them. Still more is stored in the shed behind his house, where every wall, the floor and the ceiling are covered with hanging tools and parts. His friends also get clothes. Ferrell keeps track of shoe, shirt, blouse and dress sizes and shops for them. He has seldom had problems with police or store owners. "I've found that being a good community member and being kind resolves all problems," Ferrell said. "I try to leave a neater situation than what I come to." — Reuters Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
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