The Trusted Computing Group (TCG) at the CTIA Wireless tradeshow in San Francisco unfolded an initiative that seeks to create specifications for hardware based security on a mobile phone.

The result will be very similar to the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) for desktop and laptop computers, which combines an encryption engine, unique identifier number and secure storage on a single chip.

For a mobile phone this could for instance allow a secure SIM-lock and prevent unauthorised software from installing on the device.

But as the EFF points out, this isn't all good. Some of the features are specifically aimed at limiting what a user can do with his mobile phone, even more so than is the case today. To add insult to injury, TCG now is even openly aiming DRM technology as one of the chips applications. With the desktop version the organisation at least created an image of being impartial, saying that the chip could be used for DRM, but wasn't designed for it.

In the mobile phone market, the consumer has already lost the battle for control over their devices. By subsidising handsets, they can make an argument for limiting which ringtones and software the consumer can use. And with a mobile TPM-like chip this will only get worse. Security will come at a very steep price.

Tags: TPM, trusted computing group, TCG, trusted platform group

28 Sep 2005