Providing content through SMS and MMS is an increasingly prosperous business, but unfortunately for users, a very vulnerable one from the privacy point of view.

That is why Liberty Alliance is planning to implement a series of specifications for these services whose aim is to reduce the risks associated to content (ring-tones, wallpapers, skins etc.) through SMS and MMS.

The specifications for the distribution through SMS and MMS are designed to provide content providers with access to a mobile network, allowing receipt and delivery of SMS and MMS messages to and from users, but the users won't have to reveal their telephone number or address.

"This business represents a large source of income for mobile operators and content providers alike", according to Timo Skytta, vice president of the Liberty Alliance and director of web services at Nokia.

"But it also represents a huge opportunity for privacy intrusion and increased spam, since users are exposing their telephone number directly to the content providers which can then easily give or sell this information to others," he said.