AT&T, Samsung and Carrier-IQ, the deadly trio

It is out everywhere on the net, CarrierIQ is clearly spying on you, nobody is left out except Windows Phone users. Blackberries, iPhones (at least those can opt-out) and Android are touched!!

The worst, according to HTC it seems the request comes from providers… I invite you to read the comments from different sources on Engadget.

Still, I am using Android, and kernel source are available but I believe I should have the choice to remove any spyware install on my system and all tools should be provided by manufacturers and/or service providers to remove such tools.

An example: I just bought the Samsung Captivate Glide (i927), Samsung provided the source code of the kernel. Guess what?? There are “traces” of CarrierIQ… no surprise there… it is now common knowledge but when I called Samsung to ask for the firmware in order to work on the kernel and potentially remove any traces of CarrierIQ, they refuse.

So if you believed Android is open and manufacturers will play the game, you are WRONG. Samsung if proof of it, they are doing everything to stop you to do what you want with your phone, I have to admit as much as I was in love with Android, I start looking in other direction and Samsung is for me an example NOT to follow. At least HTC release their firmwares authorizing users (if they want and know how to) tweaking firmwares and creating their own version of the kernel.