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TPM Security Chip For Your Cell Phone

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the drm-threat-or-buzzword-buzz dept.

pete314 writes "The Trusted Computing Group has unveiled that it is working on a mobile version of its TPM security chip. It should prevent the phone world from being hit by the same virus and hacking issues that face computers. However, the EFF is not amused, stating that the chip will be used for DRM, and could even limit which software the owner installs on his cell phone."

7 of 162 comments (clear)

  1. they had one before by scenestar · · Score: 3, Informative

    The mpx200 had a software lock that required all code to be signed with a digitall certificate.

    There about a gaziallion guides on how to flash your firmwware and get rid of it.

    if this chip comes out you can be sure of the fact that people are going to break open their phone and pull that sucker out.

    --
    perpetually dwelling in the -1 pits
  2. Newsflash by Caine · · Score: 4, Informative
    However, the EFF is not amused, stating that the chip will be used for DRM, and could even limit which software the owner installs on his cell phone.


    Newsflash: Phones already have DRM, it's a lot harder for the average person to bypass than a computer, and phones already limit what applications can be installed, or what they can do.

    1. Re:Newsflash by Caine · · Score: 3, Informative

      Many newer phones don't allow for example file-system interaction from unsigned applications.

    2. Re:Newsflash by AaronBrethorst · · Score: 5, Informative

      It depends on what you have. From what you say above, it sounds like you have a device running Windows Mobile. The code signing feature is fantastic inasmuch as it lets *you* decide whether or not you trust an app, and how much you want to trust it, essentially. I have an Audiovox SMT 5600 (aka HTC Typhoon) which exhibits the same behavior. Heck, I can even write apps for it in Visual Studio 2005 and dump them onto the phone. No fuss, no muss. My old Sidekick (well, actually the fourth Sidekick I had; I got unlucky in terms of catastrophic hardware failures) would only run extra apps that were on Danger and T-Mobile's pre-approved list. Not my idea of fun.

      --
      No, but I used to work for Microsoft.
    3. Re:Newsflash by Caine · · Score: 4, Informative
      It depends on what you have. From what you say above, it sounds like you have a device running Windows Mobile.


      I don't have any specific phone. I write/design platform code for them, which is why I make broad general statements. DRM is coming more and more, TPM chip or not. My point wasn't that "Oh, it's already here, so let's just accept it" as someone said in a reply. My point was that the fact that TPM chips are coming doesn't really change much. There's DRM without them to, and it's still bad.

  3. Re:Strange connections... where's this leading? by Philip+K+Dickhead · · Score: 2, Informative

    Plus the meddlesome way they inject a "need" for TCPM on phones that - in the case of GSM - already contain a smartczard.

    --
    "Speaking the Truth in times of universal deceit is a revolutionary act." -- George Orwell
  4. TCPA movie by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    go here for a movie which describes how TCPA works: http://www.lafkon.net/tc/