The controversy related to the CarrierIQ software continues and now MuckRock (an open government tool made to facilitate among other functions also citizens’ requests to the US government in relation to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)) is reported to have applied to US FBI asking information about CarrierIQ. FBI has refused to provide any information providing also explanations for its decision.
Just to remind it’s been a while already that the smartphone world is asking itself one question: is CarrierIQ a spyware, or is it a legitimate software, which helps smartphone carriers and manufacturer improve their services and products? CarrierIQ is a privately owned company located in California. The company has been operating since 2005 and is what it says “the only company embedding diagnostic software in millions of subscribers’ phones.” So what does diagnostic really mean remains the very nature of controversy here. CarrierIQ has issued a number of official statements denying its software is in any way connected with collecting sensitive personal information from the users’ smartphones, where it is installed usually without any awareness from the part of the owner.
Anyway, FBI refused MuckRock’s request to provide information on CarrierIQ on the grounds this information is in law enforcement records, “that there is a pending prospective law enforcement proceeding relevant to these records; and that release of the information contained in these responsive records could reasonably be expected to interfere with the enforcement proceedings.” MuckRock says it is a violation of FOIA and is going to appeal FBI’s decision.
