HTC removing Carrier IQ software from Sprint devices

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HTC EVO 3D

Following reports that a software update for the HTC EVO 3D for Sprint removed any traces of the Carrier IQ tracking software, HTC has confirmed that it plans to do the same thing across the board for Sprint devices.

Sprint had previously announced that it would stop using the software to monitor network performance on its users' devices, but this action by HTC confirms an earlier report that manufacturers were told by Sprint to prepare software updates that would remove the Carrier IQ software from handsets.

"HTC can confirm that we're working with Sprint to provide maintenance releases that will remove Carrier IQ and provide security enhancements and bug fixes beginning in January," said the company in a statement to The Verge.

Carrier IQ came under fire last year when it was discovered that the software could be used to track customer information and that some related user data was stored unencrypted on the phone. This prompted both carriers and manufacturers to distance themselves from the software, including the announcement by Sprint that it would no longer use it.