Google SMS and wireless carriers that save your text messages….

Yesterday we covered the news that Google is expanding their search to the mobile arena with their new Google SMS service which lets you search by sending text messages from your cellphone. The service is primarily targeted at looking up business listings, residential listings, product prices (Froogle!), and word definitions. Google has a handy pocket-sized tip sheet here.

Two things worth noting. First of all, for a lot of people sending and receiving SMS text messages still costs money, so you'll definitely want to double check what your plan is before you mobile googling everything in sight. Second, unlike web searches which are somewhat anonymous, when you use Google SMS Google logs an encrypted version of the incoming phone number, the wireless carrier associated with the number, and the date and time of the transaction. It's unclear if they log the search query and if that is matched up with your phone number. Not that it matters all that much, but it's also possible your carrier is storing copies of all your text messages already.

Don't believe us? AT&T Wireless handed over all the SMS messages related to the recent Kobe Byrant case. After the incident the accuser in the case text messaged two people—her previous boyfriend and a mystery person— and the judge in the case ordered AT&T Wireless to hand over all the messages 4 months after the messages were sent. When we called AT&T we were told customers don't have access to their own messages, but all evidence seems to indicate that the SMS messages are stored indefinitely. Other carriers have different policies, but at least with some carriers are holding onto them.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

Never. Use. Google. SMS. Again.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

I guess for those who really need it, there are encrytion options. Not sure how secure, though.

http://www.fortressmail.net/fortress_sms.htm

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

I hereby create a new verb:
Moogle

that is, to Google from your mobile terminal, be it a smartphone, tablet PC, or whatever.

So be it.

PD. it's going to play hell with my cellco's plans. In in Mexico ^^

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

what do i care. oh no google knows i wanted to buy an ipod. tell you if you guys are all buying inflatable sheep and such using google sms then stop but i mean do you really care if google knows you need the address for krispy creme at 1am?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

What exactly are you Googling from your cell phone that you care about people knowing?

Hookers 78705
Adult video 01540
WMD Tikrit Iraq

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

Chances are if you're looking for pizza in a neighborhood, you won't know the zip code of the area you're in. That barsearch triangulation system in Britain works a lot better in this regard. Tho, you privacy guys would have a field day with something like that.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

Actually it is required by law or local regulations for all carriers to save processed SMS for at least some time (a year at least, but it varies).
And where this is not the case, carriers usually save the processed data anyway. It's safer.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

goooooodddddddd

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

Appears Amazon.com has also launched its SMS or text messaging services via Koffee-Break.

http://www.koffee-break.com/sms_services_help.html

These folks offer a ton of services and are available all over the world. Plus, they have a tie up with Tmobile for Germany.