T-Mobile’s App Records Your Screen by Default, and You Should Turn It Off
It’s not easy to maintain privacy when using technology these days. Much of this is the fault of companies that prioritize data collection over the integrity of their users. But while I’ve grown accustomed to most companies’ lack of respect for my privacy and security, I have to admit that I’m a little taken aback by T-Mobile’s latest move.
T-Life, T-Mobile’s tech support app, has a rather unusual and unnerving feature. For some users, T-Life can record your screen when you have the app open. This setting is quite hidden and, worse, is enabled by default. Who approved this?
How T-Life Screen Recording Works
Fortunately, the privacy and security implications aren’t as bad as the headlines make it seem. T-Mobile says the feature is intended solely for T-Life technical support, not spying. As a T-Mobile spokesperson told CNET , “To help us make T-Life a better experience for customers, we’re rolling out a new tool in the app to help us quickly troubleshoot reported or discovered issues. This tool only records activity in the app and does not see or access any personal information.”
That explanation doesn’t justify quietly enabling screen recording in the app for customers without their knowledge, though. I have no problem with a company like T-Mobile offering tools that help tech support when all parties are willing and able, but as CNET points out, the app already has such a feature called “Screen Share” under the Help & Support section. It seems redundant to have a separate “screen recording” setting that serves a similar purpose, especially when it seems like the company had no plans to tell people about it before the news broke.
When you look at the settings in the T-Life app, you’ll see the following description: “We use a tool to record how customers use the app to analyze and improve your experience. Only T-Mobile will view and analyze your information. If you turn this switch on or make it purple, we’ll record your screen while you’re using the app . If you turn this switch off or make it gray, we won’t record your screen.” Horrible.
How to Disable T-Life Screen Recording
To turn off the feature, open T-Life, then go to Settings > Preferences . Here you’ll see Screen Recording Tool , where you can turn off the setting. (You’ll know it’s off if it turns gray.)
If you don’t see this setting, it may not have affected you. T-Life hasn’t rolled out this feature to all users yet, so the app may not be recording your screen for you at the moment. Reports say T-Mobile has rolled out this feature to both iPhone and Android users, so don’t assume you’re safe because you’re using one platform or the other.