FBI Rejects Freedom of Information Act Request About Carrier IQ 156
bonch writes with news that website Muckrock recently sent a Freedom of Information Act request to the FBI asking for "manuals, documents or other written guidance used to access or analyze data gathered by programs developed or deployed by Carrier IQ." The Bureau has now responded with a rejection of the request, claiming an exemption applies because such documents "could reasonably be expected to interfere with enforcement proceedings." While many have been quick to assume the worst, the Muckrock article says it's unclear "whether the FBI used Carrier IQ's software to in its own investigations, whether it is currently investigating Carrier IQ, or whether it is some combination of both - not unlikely given the recent uproar over the practice coupled with the U.S. intelligence communities reliance on third-party vendors."
It's about to get worse! (Score:5, Informative)
http://www.aclu.org/blog/tag/NDAA [aclu.org]
Re:Does it really matter ? (Score:4, Informative)
People, there is a path here...
http://androidforums.com/evo-4g-all-things-root/459292-how-do-i-remove-carrier-iq-software.html [androidforums.com]
Rom your phone, walla no more carrier ifucked.
It's little things like this why the art of hacking is not all lost despite the American social media's mass confusion.
Re:Data logging (Score:5, Informative)
If the FBI is using Carrier IQ data for investigative purposes, doesn't that call into question the earlier claim from security researchers that Carrier IQ isn't logging data [slashdot.org]?
If you read closely, you'll see that Carrier IQ's argument relies heavily on that data never hitting their servers. The fact that their keylogger-capable malware allows the carrier to extract that info, and consequently hand it to the FBI, is "not their fault" [1].
[1] http://daringfireball.net/linked/2011/12/08/carrier-iq-interview [daringfireball.net]
Re:Does it really matter ? (Score:5, Informative)
Go read the mobile device privacy policy / TOS. It's spelled out in black and white. I know this to be a fact for Verizons network, which ironically, apparently, doesn't use CarrierIQ. When you sign up for phone service, you agree to be logged, and you agree to allow {carrier} to give the data to 3rd parties. You have agreed to this. It's no more a violation of the constitution as taking a test and handing it to the teacher, at which point, the teacher can do whatever they want with it. You wouldn't call that a warrantless wiretap would you ?
When you are done with the witch hunt, the cries of constitutional violations, etc, and you actually start to focus on how to solve the problem, you will realize nothing short of legislation requiring carriers to allow you to opt out will fix this.
In the meantime, have fun getting angry and burning witches. Anything short of demanding our government representatives fix this via legislation that allows you to opt out will just be wasted emotion, time, and energy.
Re:I'm stunned (Score:4, Informative)
But when the FBI/CIA/NSA or some other TLA requests details of a carrier's customer, they PAY for it. Were you not here when there were massive discussions about the release of a carrier's price list for law enforcement and the services they offered to them? Law enforcement doesn't have to get a warrant or a subpoena, they just fill out an order form, check the appropriate boxes and send payment. It's not "law." It's commerce.
Re:I'm stunned (Score:4, Informative)
Notably, both Stalin's regime and entire Stasi organisation have been significantly less successful at monitoring people. We long past the point where even those comparisons in terms of monitoring would be appropriate. To try to whine about Putin, who actually failed at any significant monitoring of his people (as in comparison to both above) shows extreme depth of ignorance in the subject. As it stands now, top countries in terms of monitoring their citizens are located in the West, and the gap between them and others is more of a huge chasm.
Re:Apple Logo (Score:4, Informative)
Google didn't put it in Android but a number of Android OEMs ARE using CarrierIQ, mostly at the behest of carriers like AT&T who said "include CarrierIQ or we wont sell your new phone"
Re:Stallman Was Right (Score:2, Informative)
The FCC has came out and said rooting an iPhone is legal.
http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/07/feds-ok-iphone-jailbreaking/
I take them a more authoritative on the matter then a random slashdot poster.