Who’s using Carrier IQ and for what purpose?

Wireless carriers and handset makers have slowly been clarifying how they use Carrier IQ, the software program that can record information from cellphones.

Carrier IQ’s program is meant to collect user data to “assist operators and device manufacturers in delivering high-quality products and services to their customers.” But the average user can’t see or agree to this data collection, which is what’s caused such outrage. Verizon spokesman Jeffrey Nelson said on his Twitter account that the company does not use Carrier IQ on its phones. AT&T and Sprint have both released statements saying that they use Carrier IQ for network monitoring and maintenance purposes. “In-line with our privacy policy, we solely use CIQ software data to improve wireless network and service performance,” said AT&T spokesman Mark Siegel. Sprint, the carrier that was featured in security researcher Troy Eckhart’s videos showing the program’s activities, also said that it uses the program to monitor connection problems, but does not and cannot look at or record the contents of text messages.