The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have launched a joint investigation in order to better understand, and ultimately improve, the security of mobile devices. Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Chief Jon Wilkins sent letters to AT&T, Inc., T-Mobile US, Inc., Sprint Corp., Verizon Wireless, United States Cellular Corp., and TracFone Wireless, Inc. asking questions about their processes for reviewing and releasing security updates for mobile devices. Carriers will have 45 days to respond to the FCC’s questions. At the same time, the FTC has ordered eight mobile device manufacturers (Apple, Inc., Blackberry Corp., Google, Inc., HTC America, Inc., LG Electronics USA, Inc., Microsoft Corp., Motorola Mobility LLC, and Samsung Electronics America, Inc.) to provide the agency with information about how they issue security updates to address vulnerabilities in smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices.
