By now, you’ve probably heard about the Carrier IQ controversy which has dragged companies like Apple, RIM, HTC,  and Nokia through the mud. Carrier IQ is a company who offers their technology services on various devices, including iOS, Android and Windows smartphones. The company specifically provides a software called “IQRD” with “intelligence solutions to the wireless industry” which logs user data. However, without permission from carriers or hardware makers, Carrier IQ is being accused of logging Web searches and every single button that is being tapped. iOS users are the least hurt by this as only phone call and location was being logged, in which case users could have also cut off all access to the software by by simply going to Settings -> General -> About -> Diagnostics & Usage -> Don’t Send.

However, the real winner or most protected device in all this is the Xperia smartphones by Sony Ericsson. In an official press release by Sony Ericsson, the company has revealed that they do not install or support Carrier IQ on their Xperia lineup of Android smartphones. Full press release and your comments, after the break.

 Sony Ericsson does not install or support Carrier IQ on its devices. The exception is in the U.S when required by carriers. Sony Ericsson does not receive or gather any information or data collected by Carrier IQ. For questions regarding Carrier IQ, we recommend consumers to contact their operator. 

Discuss:

Does software like Carrier IQ concern you or do you think the real harm tends to be overblown?

[Via XperiaBlog]