Tim
Many moons ago, when Android was still relatively young, there was once a company called Carrier iQ. The company was contracted to place software on devices for carriers that tracked which apps you opened, places you went, texts you received, and a whole lot more information that was then handed over to carriers to help better the customer experience.
However, while all of this information was being exchanged, the customer never knew about it until one day in 2011, a security analysis was being ran on an HTC device. Once folks were made aware of what was taking place behind their back, the company and carriers involved received major backlash, and since then, it’s been somewhat smooth sailing in terms of privacy policies and carrier transparency with regard to data collection.
Now that you are caught up on the backstory, it was announced today that AT&T has acquired certain assets of Carrier iQ, along with select personnel. In a statement given to TechCrunch, an AT&T spokesperson says, “We’ve acquired the rights to Carrier iQ’s software, and some CIQ employees moved to AT&T. We use CIQ software solely to improve the customer’s network and wireless service experience. This is in line with our Privacy Policy and provides a great benefit to users of our network.”
Agenda wise, AT&T will apparently license a few of CIQ’s technologies to other companies, such as Nielsen, but no figures for the deal have been revealed just yet. It is reported that since AT&T did not acquire the company completely, they will not be liable for any “outstanding litigation or settlements against CIQ.”
Honestly, going into 2016, I forgot Carrier iQ was a thing.
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