Trusting mobile operators with your data

Attending a Design Council event on mobile phone security last week reminded me of Richard Stallman's counsel against cloud computing. In the context of mobile phone crime, having less on your handset and more 'in the cloud' could provide security but your data need to be with someone you trust and to be seamlessly accessible when needed. Stallman's 'trust no one' aside, mobile phone operators have ground to make up in winning customers' trust. Their dialogue with customers is currently focused on price. Network coverage has been an issue in the past, but less so now. Trust is a long way behind in the conversation.