August 11, 2004
(Text) Messages can be forever
Lance Ulanoff for PC Magazine reminds us all that text messages can be retrieved and read by third parties.
"For those who don't know, SMS text messages are not sent in a peer-to-peer-style manner. In other words, SMS-enabled phones do not connect directly. Text messaging is a store-and-forward technology. One person types a message and sends it to the service provider (Cingular, T-Mobile, Verizon, etc.). The provider then sends that message to the intended recipient. This is much the same way e-mail works. And in most circumstances, there's some record of the information contained in these messages left on the server. "
Ulanoff adds, on the other hand "Bluetooth-enabled phones are more attractive than ever. Two Bluetooth phones can create a sort of ad hoc peer-to-peer connection and send messages back and forth. The messages never touch a central server, and deleting whatever you send or receive should be pretty easy. "
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