Congressional Hearing Requested to Investigate Carrier iQ

Even though they have not been in the headlines lately, Carrier iQ is still in the hot seat.  This time they have caught the attention of three lawmakers requesting a Congressional hearing regarding their rootkit.  Representatives Henry Waxman (D-CA), G.K Butterfield (D-NC), and Diana DeGette (D-CO) sent a letter requesting Representatives Fred Upton (R-MI), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Cliff Stearns (R-FL) Chairman Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, and Mary Bono Mack (R-CA) Chairman Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Committee on Energy and Commerce to open an investigation into the data collection and transmission capabilities of Carrier iQ’s software.  In addition to the software, the Representatives also requested that the investigation determine if Android phones were sold with security problems that would have exacerbated the problems caused by Carrier iQ’s software.  Read the Representatives’ request after the break.

“Data collection and transmission by Carrier IQ and similar software is widespread, and consumers appear to have little knowledge and even less control over the practice,” the Representatives wrote. “There continue to be many unanswered questions about the handling of this data and the extent to which its collection, analysis, and transmission pose legitimate privacy concerns for the American public.”

“What are the data collection, analysis, and transmission capabilities of Carrier IQ and similar software, and what privacy protections are built into the software?” the letter stated. “Were Android phones sold with security flaws that could have exacerbated privacy concerns related to Carrier IQ and other software and, if so, have these flaws been addressed? “

The Representatives also requested an investigation into the disclosure practices of carriers and device manufacturers and of the security and privacy risks associated with the data collection and transmission enabled by Carrier iQ.

“Before last month, even the most technically savvy customers may not have been aware of the presence of this software and of its capacity for transmitting sensitive information,” the Representatives wrote. “Even if consumers knew about the threat to their privacy, they have little practical recourse because most device users have no ability to delete the data collected and transmission software from their phones.”

In response to the requested investigation, Carrier iQ stated that they “…look forward to answering any further questions that may arise.”