4 ms·

This is a nice enumeration of the details, but should we really be surprised at all that they're doing it? Compliance with CALEA requires that some of this inf

by smoyer 15y ago

This is a nice enumeration of the details, but should we really be surprised at all that they're doing it? Compliance with CALEA requires that some of this information be retained in addition to the ability to tap communications.

masklinn 15y ago
> should we really be surprised at all that they're doing it? I'm sure nobody is surprised about information retention in general from carriers, but the details are interesting. It's essentially spelling out three things: 1. If you're calling people a lot, you should use Verizon: your call records will disappear within a year whereas others will keep them 2 (Sprint, T-Mobile prepaid) to 7 (AT&T post-paid) years. 2. Text message is a bit more complex, it's the same as calls for details but verizon is the only carriers storing the actual message for any length of time 3. If you're mostly using data, go with T-Mobile, ideally prepaid: they have the shortest cell tower history retention, don't keep any connection information and don't even keep bill copies (for post-paid). The downside is that they'll keep a log of your calls and messages for 2~5 years. As you'd expect, AT&T is by far the worst (dead last in all categories but data connection session informations)
- heliodor 15y ago
  When you combine #3 with the free hotspot feature that allows you to not pay for that exorbitant home broadband connection, T-Mobile's a real winner!
  - technomancy 15y ago
    Even more so once you use VoIP for all your calls and XMPP for your text chats.
jnorthrop 15y ago
Please sure got up in arms when they found out Apple was doing this exact same thing earlier this year. http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/apple-tracks-location-iphone-ipad-data-researchers/story?id=13420041 http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/apple-tracks-location-iphon...
- jodrellblank 15y ago
  Apple wasn't tracking anything, the logfile was stored locally on your phone. This information is stored centrally.
  - jnorthrop 15y ago
    You're right! I should have said was accused of tracking. Too late to edit my comment now.

by smoyer 15y ago

masklinn 15y ago

> should we really be surprised at all that they're doing it? I'm sure nobody is surprised about information retention in general from carriers, but the details are interesting. It's essentially spelling out three things: 1. If you're calling people a lot, you should use Verizon: your call records will disappear within a year whereas others will keep them 2 (Sprint, T-Mobile prepaid) to 7 (AT&T post-paid) years. 2. Text message is a bit more complex, it's the same as calls for details but verizon is the only carriers storing the actual message for any length of time 3. If you're mostly using data, go with T-Mobile, ideally prepaid: they have the shortest cell tower history retention, don't keep any connection information and don't even keep bill copies (for post-paid). The downside is that they'll keep a log of your calls and messages for 2~5 years. As you'd expect, AT&T is by far the worst (dead last in all categories but data connection session informations)

heliodor 15y ago
When you combine #3 with the free hotspot feature that allows you to not pay for that exorbitant home broadband connection, T-Mobile's a real winner!
- technomancy 15y ago
  Even more so once you use VoIP for all your calls and XMPP for your text chats.

jnorthrop 15y ago

Please sure got up in arms when they found out Apple was doing this exact same thing earlier this year. http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/apple-tracks-location-iphone-ipad-data-researchers/story?id=13420041 http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/apple-tracks-location-iphon...

jodrellblank 15y ago
Apple wasn't tracking anything, the logfile was stored locally on your phone. This information is stored centrally.
- jnorthrop 15y ago
  You're right! I should have said was accused of tracking. Too late to edit my comment now.