This week, network provider O2 was the subject of serious anger amongst its users, after it was revealed that the company had been giving out mobile numbers when customers browsed websites from their handsets.
Although the full details have yet to emerge, it seems that there was an error at O2′s end, which meant anyone surfing the web on their smartphone would inadvertently give personal information to the sites that they visited, including their mobile number.
O2 became the subject of much anger, with social networking site Twitter used by thousands of UK customers in order to complain to the company.
Shortly after news of the leak hit the mainstream, O2 confirmed that it had plugged the problem, although it stopped short of actually apologising for handing out user data without permission. In a statement, O2 said ‘that it was sorry for causing concern amongst its user base’.
Hopefully, O2 customers will now be able to head online using their smartphones without worrying about whether or not they are having their information harvested by each site they visit. However, it may take more than a few apologetic words from the provider to restore user trust.
Interestingly, O2 is not the only network that has had to be made aware of a leak of this kind by third party sources. A couple of years ago the same thing happened to Orange, which is now part of Everything Everywhere, with a similar set of circumstances occurring and an equally speedy resolution reached only once the bigwigs were alerted to the issue from outside.
There has been much debate about the subject of privacy following the leak this week, with some sources pointing out that a mobile phone number is arbitrary and does not ultimately provide information about the person to whom it happens to be assigned.
Of course if a company gets hold of your number, it can then send you spam text messages that clutter up your inbox. In addition, the terms of the Data Protection Act imply that any information which can have an impact on your personal or professional life is considered to fall into the category of ‘personal data,’ which is a statement that would definitely apply to your mobile phone number.
You can get security apps for Android smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy Nexus and there are even apps which promise to protect your iPhone 4S, but, in most cases, these are simply there to counteract the effects of malicious software. They can do little to prevent data being leaked while you are browsing the internet at home, or when out and about with your mobile.
If vigilant individuals are able to continually keep tabs on just what network providers are doing then, hopefully, any future leaks will be spotted and stifled before any real damage can be done. In the meantime, it is best to prepare yourself by checking out the terms and conditions that govern your service thoroughly, so that you are aware of your rights.
