Here in the UK, it’s common for my cellphone not to ring for days.  No, I’m not hopelessly unpopular (just vaguely so), but instead of voice calls SMS text messages have proved incredibly popular.  Something that has always bugged me, however, is what exactly happens to my messages when they’re flying from friends’ fingers to the screen of my Samsung – do they pass through the carrier’s computers without leaving a trace, or is there a catalogue of fiendishly abbreviated old SMS somewhere in the database?  US carriers have recently been called to answer questions regarding just how long SMS – and, presumably, MMS messages with audio, image and video content – are stored on their systems, amid concerns that users may be unaware of what personal data is being maintained.

Verizon Wireless and AT&T were both asked to clarify what exactly happens with messages, and it seems that if there’s going to be a security leak then it’s how you manage your own cellphone that might cause it.  Both carriers stated that the data stays in their systems for little longer than it takes to successfully send the message, with AT&T claiming that if an SMS cannot be delivered in 72 hours then it is irretrievably deleted.

“I think people can feel comfortable we’re not storing information that can later be used against them.  Unless you have something stored on your phone or on a recipients’ phone, it does not stay on our network for a long period” Erica Sevilla, Verizon Wireless

So if you’re having an affair, are masterminding a surprise birthday party or just don’t like the idea of someone being able to pick up your phone and check out your message history, the best thing to do is delete anything incriminating.  It doesn’t look like the networks will be the ones to give you away!