A few days ago we reported about the class action suit filed against Microsoft for the Windows Mobile Phone 7’s data logging feature that continues to record data even if the user turns it off. Similar problems were encountered by Apple and the Android OS but these were eventually resolved and fixed with future patches, as in the case of the Apple iOS.

These problems with data logging should serve as a lesson for other tech manufacturers but, sadly, privacy issues are still happening with various devices. One example is HTC. The mobile phone manufacturer is a strong player in the market and has a number of strongly performing products. But according to some HTC users the new updates for the HTC Evo 3D and Sensation (both are Android OS phones) now log all of the user actions made on the phone. The culprit is an HTC app called CIQ that was given an additional feature with the new update. The new feature is called User Behavior Logging and what is does is record all of the things that a user does with his HTC phone – from pressing the home button to opening an app. The logs are then uploaded to HTC’s servers.

HTC has addressed the issue by explaining what the whole process is for. According to the company the data is collected only for error logging and that it is an opt-in feature. But users have reported that it is not so.
HTC should be making a savvier move to address the issue and assuage the fears of HTC phone users. If they don’t, they’ll surely face a bigger problem in the horizon.

Originally posted on September 6, 2011 @ 8:57 am