Storing your data is only scratching the surface of what these guys are up to.

See, for example: http://sensenetworks.com/macrosense.php

Disclaimer: I previously worked for a large carrier.

Facebook message content: Forever.

Sad to compare this to Telecoms.

I thought it gets permanently deleted from their database when you delete your account..no?

Edit: why the downvote? it's just a question. Chilax

There are two kinds of deletions. The SQL DELETE command, and the boolean `deleted` field. Facebook is reported to use the latter.

I don't know what to say. But I believe they are up to something much bigger than just using the data for ads.

A guy who said he worked at Facebook posted a comment on HN a couple days ago claiming that data is actually deleted from disk when you delete your account (after the ~14 day waiting period for account deletion), and I think it seemed like he was implying that this may have been the ONLY time data is actually deleted rather than simply being marked deleted. Maybe someone has a link to the actual comment/context...

I personally know this to be false. Over 2 years ago, I deleted my facebook account. Approximately 6 months later, I accidentally got auto logged in by LastPass when I clicked a link and ended up on the FB login page. It simply welcomed me back with all my data intact.

I'm quite sure that I went through the deletion process, then waited far more than the "14 day" requirement.

This is a nice enumeration of the details, but should we really be surprised at all that they're doing it? Compliance with CALEA requires that some of this information be retained in addition to the ability to tap communications.

> should we really be surprised at all that they're doing it?

I'm sure nobody is surprised about information retention in general from carriers, but the details are interesting.

It's essentially spelling out three things:

1. If you're calling people a lot, you should use Verizon: your call records will disappear within a year whereas others will keep them 2 (Sprint, T-Mobile prepaid) to 7 (AT&T post-paid) years.

2. Text message is a bit more complex, it's the same as calls for details but verizon is the only carriers storing the actual message for any length of time

3. If you're mostly using data, go with T-Mobile, ideally prepaid: they have the shortest cell tower history retention, don't keep any connection information and don't even keep bill copies (for post-paid). The downside is that they'll keep a log of your calls and messages for 2~5 years.

As you'd expect, AT&T is by far the worst (dead last in all categories but data connection session informations)

When you combine #3 with the free hotspot feature that allows you to not pay for that exorbitant home broadband connection, T-Mobile's a real winner!

Even more so once you use VoIP for all your calls and XMPP for your text chats.

Apple wasn't tracking anything, the logfile was stored locally on your phone. This information is stored centrally.

You're right! I should have said was accused of tracking. Too late to edit my comment now.

In response to the title I was going to go with ATT. I was not disappointed; they truly have no respect for you as a customer nor your privacy.

Is there a way to spam their records without running a huge bill in order to have them store a large number of random bits?