Carrier IQ Relents, Apologizes 78
symbolset writes "Update from an earlier story here, where Carrier IQ was pursuing a security researcher for pointing out privacy issues in an application alleged to track and record the activities of smartphone users. The company has relented, and retracted their Cease and Desist letter. In their press release [PDF] they say: 'As of today, we are withdrawing our cease and desist letter to Mr. Trevor Eckhart. We have reached out to Mr.
Eckhart and the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) to apologize. Our action was misguided and we are deeply sorry for any concern or trouble that our letter may have caused Mr. Eckhart. We sincerely appreciate and respect EFF's work
on his behalf, and share their commitment to protecting free speech in a rapidly changing technological world.' Notch another win for the Streisand effect."
The Apology Looks Sound to Me (Score:4, Funny)
The apology letter looks sound to me. I don't see any reason why we should be second-guessing their intentions. There is nothing ambiguous here.
It says at the very end, "We welcome feedback on our products and understand that Mr. Eckhart and other developers like him play an important role by raising questions about the complicated and technical aspects of the mobile ecosystem."
These people really sound like fair players, people who are listening, people who are concerned, and who are trying to do a good job. They aren't silencing discussion, and they aren't showing themselves to be anything other than fair.
Re:3 Questions (Score:4, Funny)
3: How can I sue Carrier IQ for invasion of privacy and anything else that good lawyer can think of?
First, you need $50,000 for the lawyer.
Re:How much of this was out of their heartfelt goo (Score:4, Funny)
Actually, both Apple [matchinggifts.com] and Microsoft [matchinggifts.com] match donations to EFF made by their employees (up to $10k per employee for Apple, and up to $12k for MS). Granted, this is nowhere near as all-inclusive as Brin's program, but if you count matching donations as "siding with", well...
Right, that's how they catch the traitors from within. Clever!