Apple smartphones after will stop using Carrier IQ software in iPhone the scandal that unfolded earlier this week, reports the All Things Digital blog.

On November 28, American programmer Trevor Eckhart published a video on YouTube in which he said that Carrier IQ is a utility that is “sewn” into the smartphone’s memory and collects various types of information about the device, from the current location to what buttons are pressed by the user.

It was initially reported that Carrier IQ could be found in Nokia, BlackBerry and some Android smartphones, but it was later revealed that iPhones also use it.

In a comment to All Things Digital, an Apple representative admitted that the company did indeed use the utility in its mobile devices, but said that it will be completely removed from the device after the next update is released. Most iOS 5 devices don't use Carrier IQ anyway, he said.

The program's developer, Carrier IQ, confirms that it collects information about the smartphone, but claims that only the operational characteristics of the device are recorded. They are sent to the manufacturer and mobile operator. Third parties cannot receive them. Carrier IQ does not record geographic coordinates or button presses, according to a statement on the company's website.

Apple, in turn, said that the decision about whether to send diagnostic information to the operator and manufacturer should be made by the user. The company emphasized that in the iOS menu you can enable or disable the function of sending this kind of data.

The program for tracking the device will be removed from the iPhone