Mobile Privacy Bill Introduced In The House, Would Regulate Carrier IQ-Like Tracking Software

The Carrier IQ controversy has prompted numerous concerns and fears over citizens’ privacy rights. That’s why Congress has gone ahead and taken precautionary steps to ensure this type of situation never happens again by drafted a bill called The Mobile Device Privacy Act in the House of Representatives. The bill’s sponsor, Representative Ed Markey (D-MA) put it best:

“Consumers have the right to know and say no to the presence of software on their mobile devices that can collect and transmit their personal and sensitive information”.

So what are the details of the bill you ask? Basically if the bill were to be achieved and passed, it would require companies to disclose tracking software and detail what information it collects. Furthermore, it would require consumer consent for any data collection or transmission; while companies that want to transmit data to third parties would need to gain approval from the FTC and FCC in order to do so. Read on to see more of the nitty gritty details and what the next steps are before the bill becomes law.

Take a look at what the bill would require:

Monitoring software must be disclosed when a person buys a mobile phone, and also after the sale if any party decides to install monitoring software after the fact.App makers that include monitoring software must also disclose it.All disclosures must say whether the monitoring software has been installed, and detail the type of information collected, where it’s going, and how it will be used.Consumers must give their consent before monitoring or data transfer takes place.Those who receive data must be able to secure it.Data sharing agreements have to be filed with the FTC and FCC.

The Verge reports that the bill has a way’s to go before it becomes a law. As anyone familiar with the lawmaking process would tell you, a bill’s proposal in the House still has to go through further approval— in this case the bill would then have to be presented to the Senate. However, grabbing support from the Senate side shouldn’t be too much of a problem, considering there’s at least one prominent member who is notably outspoken against Carrier IQ. Senator Al Franken told The Verge that ”the default for collecting any kind of personal data should be opt-in consent” and that “we have a fundamental right to know what information is being collected about us and who it is shared with”. We’re sure there are many individuals who share your sentiment Senator Franken.

We’ve seen established Mobile Carriers take immediate action to ensure consumers’ privacy, now we’re seeing the law play its part too. Stay tuned with Talk Android for further updates on the landmark controversy.

source: The Verge
via: Venture Beat

» See more articles by Roy Alugbue

Categorized as Android Lawsuits, Android News

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Posted in: Carrier, House, Introduced, IQLike, Mobile, Privacy, Regulate, Software, Tracking, Would