KATV Channel 7 - The Spirit of Arkansas: Is Your Smart Phone Spying on You?

Is Your Smart Phone Spying on You?

 More than a third of U.S. adults own them, and we likely use our smartphones without giving much consideration to who could look at what we're doing on them. The answer to that is not easy, but it also could make you uneasy. 

  "The users do not necessarily understand that what we put out there is going to be stored, pretty much indefinitely," said Remzi Seker, Chair of the Department of Computer Science at UALR. It's his job to stay on top of technology, and that includes the ever increasing threats to privacy. The number one way we give access to our information, is through those free apps we love to download. They're quick. They're easy. And, of course, they're free. But, it's the convenience, and a desire to use the app, that often times lead us to hurry past the terms and conditions page. And Seker says when you agree to the terms, you could also be agreeing to open access to your phone, the numbers you call, in some cases, even the content of your text messages, pictures you've taken and sent, your web browsing history, and access to your location.

 Seker said, "And if we think about the amount of data one could collect in this way, it is scary, i would say. It poses very serious privacy concerns."

 It is particularly scary when you think about how soon we are giving our children smart phones. According to the U.S. Census Bureau and Flurry Analytics, about 8% of kids 13 to 17 have smartphones, and about 15& of 18-to-24 year olds use them.

"It's more likely for a younger person who does not necessarily understand the details of security and privacy, who has been growing up with facebook and similar applications and their usage. Probably, they're more likely to say yes and move on," warns Seker.

 Seker says the data collected from your phone is most likely used for market research, to make it easier to try to sell you something. But there can be more elicit, even illegal uses. Seker says it depends on who writes the app, and where the information goes after it's collected. But, there's nothing illegal about collecting it, because you've given permission..

What may be a grayer area, is Carrier I.Q. It's a company that is selling software to cell phone service providers, and even cell phone makers, that has the capability of tracking everything you do on your phone, without your consent. The software is accused of being able to log keystrokes, record telephone calls, store text messages, track location, and it's next to impossible to disable.

"As of now, we don't necessarily know what company collects what kind of information. That is the part makes me, personally uncomfortable as well as many other people," Seker said.

 According to Engadget.com, Carrier I.Q. claims it's software is installed on more than 140 million devices. Sprint, and at-and-t admit to using it on its handsets, but insist they don't use it to monitor subscriber's activities, but, rather to improve service. Verizon says it does not use Carrier I.Q.

Seker believes companies should be more transparent, and the user should be better informed, especially when it comes to downloading apps.

"First of all, understand what it really means. I suspect many users do not necessarily understand what those warnings mean. So user education is the key issue that we're dealing with here."

 UALR speaks at high schools educating teens about technology privacy issues. The school also offers continuing education classes on the subject. If you want to find out more, there are websites with great information. By the way, Seker says, if you want get rid of an app, you can delete it, or uninstall it, and Seker says that should close the door on the flow of information.