Congress starts bill requiring "Carrier IQ" like monitoring to be disclosed up front to the customer

[pyroscott]

Migrated from Original Forum. Originally Posted 31 January 2012

 

Most of us know all about "Carrier IQ" the software that started a public outcry that caused carriers like Sprint to not only stop collecting data with it, but also ask its manufacturers to issue updates to remove the software completely. Whatever we thought of it, I'm sure most of us are glad that it is vanishing. Congress has drafted a bill that will prevent anything like this from sneaking up on us again.

 

Here's what the bill would require:

• Monitoring software must be disclosed when a person buys a mobile phone, and also after the sale if any party decides to install monitoring software after the fact.
  
• App makers that include monitoring software must also disclose it.
  
• All disclosures must say whether the monitoring software has been installed, and detail the type of information collected, where it's going, and how it will be used.
  
• Consumers must give their consent before monitoring or data transfer takes place.
  
• Those who receive data must be able to secure it.
  
• Data sharing agreements have to be filed with the FTC and FCC.
  

 

This bill has a long road to pass before it becomes law, but it's good to see that our elected officials are taking action to protect our privacy.

 

Minnesota Senator told the Verge "the default for collecting any kind of personal data should be opt-in consent," and that "we have a fundamental right to know what information is being collected about us and who it is shared with."

 

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