In a recent news story, a young researcher posted a couple of YouTube videos revealing a clandestine software program pre-installed on his smartphone. He demonstrated how the software recorded his every move on his phone. The software, called Carrier IQ, is pre-installed on millions of phones, maybe even yours. In a statement released this week, the company said,

"We measure and summarize performance of the device to assist Operators in delivering better service. While a few individuals have identified that there is a great deal of information available to the Carrier IQ software inside the handset, our software does not record, store or transmit the contents of SMS messages, email, photographs, audio or video."

Now phone carriers are claiming they had no idea the software recorded so much info. Riiiight.

So how do you feel about that? Your every message, button pushed, picture taken, email sent, website visited... could be recorded and saved by an independent source.

Creepy huh?

I don't have a smartphone. Mine is decidedly stupid. It is a cut-rate phone that is pay-as-you-go. They don't make enough money on this phone to make it worth their while to add fancy chips.

I have nothing extraordinary to hide. My life is pretty much an open book, HOWEVER, I don't want to be recorded and saved by an independent source. As for the companies' not knowing what was going on...if people believe that, they will believe anything, indeed! Sad to contemplate.

Ha! That's funny, Connie.
As much as I am fascinated with technology, I also use a "dumb" little ol' phone.

I think the scary thing about the smartphone scandal was that people who thought they were "opting out" actually had no choice in the matter and had their info recorded anyway.

Seems rather sneaky to ask if I want to share my info when you know my answer is irrelevant - you're going to share it whether I like it or not.

Yes, definitely creepy. Intrudes your privacy so much.