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Behind the Carrier IQ rootkit controversy

The recent disclosure that top mobile phone providers are using software from Carrier IQ that critics say can gather and track all sorts of personal data from a user's smartphone has sparked a firestorm of controversy.

AT&T and Sprint Thursday admitted to installing the software in their phones, but insist that it's only used to collect service related data.

Other carriers deny using the software.

Here's what the controversy is all about.