[ NNSquad ] Re: ISP Web browsing data mining controversy grows in the UK

["Andy Richardson" <andyr2120@gmail.com>]

I am not averse to a limited amount of targeted ads that are based on my habits, as I have been happily using Gmail for some time now.  This Phorm deal seems like something that crosses an invisible line - it makes me extremely wary.  Frankly, I can't imagine that it provides me enough value to agree to participate.  There would have to be something a lot more compelling than targeted ads and a site blacklisting service. 

 

Gmail gave me an email service that was miles ahead of my ISP's, especially compared to their webmail.  I get ads that are culled from keywords in my messages, but it isn't tied to anything that occurs outside of my mail so I can manage the impact pretty easily.  Phorm states that they don't look at HTTPS sites and that there are other limitations that I won't go into here, but I am far from convinced.  Too much risk and virtually no reward. 

 

Andy

 

On 3/1/08, Kyle Rosenthal <kr@dpacket.org> wrote:

A new article was posted on Tech Crunch that explains Phorm's operations in greater detail:

 

http://uk.techcrunch.com/2008/02/29/phorm-might-be-onto-something/

 

Kyle Rosenthal
dPacket.org
(415) 508-5953

---

From: nnsquad-bounces+kr=dpacket.org@nnsquad.org on behalf of Lauren Weinstein
Sent: Fri 2/29/2008 10:35 PM
To: nnsquad@nnsquad.org
Cc: lauren@vortex.com
Subject: [ NNSquad ] ISP Web browsing data mining controversy grows in the UK

 

------- Forwarded Message

The Phorm files
All yer data pimping news in one place
By Team Register
Published Friday 29th February 2008 16:03 GMT
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/02/29/phorm_roundup/

We've had a busy week digging into the deals signed by BT, Virgin
Media and Carphone Warehouse to report your browsing habits to Phorm,
a new advertising company.

There's shedloads of questions left to answer. Did BT lie over its
involvement with the firm last year? When you opt-out, just how
"out" exactly will you be? The list is long.  []

But for now, here's the state of our knowledge on what must rank as
one of the most interesting and important developments in the
internet privacy game for some years.

ISP data deal with former 'spyware' boss triggers privacy fears
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/02/25/phorm_isp_advertising/
More than ten million customers of the UK's three largest ISPs will
have their browsing habits sold to a company with roots in the murky
world of spyware.

BT pimped customer web data to advertisers last summer
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/02/27/bt_phorm_121media_summer_2007/
BT's servers were secretly passing data on subscribers to its "new"
advertising partner as long ago as last summer, though the companies
refused to acknowledge any relationship at the time.

Broadband big boys waiting on data pimping
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/02/29/phorm_broadband_isp_targets/
Phorm, the advertising company that wants to pay your ISP to hand
over information on which websites you visit, has convinced the UK's
three largest providers to trust it, but regulators and the rest of
the industry are less impressed.

How Phorm plans to tap your internet connection
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/02/29/phorm_documents/
Internal BT documents obtained by The Register for the first time
provide solid technical information on how data from millions of BT,
Virgin Media and Carphone Warehouse customers will be pumped into a
new advertising system.

We are interviewing Phorm's CIO Marc Burgess next week. Send us your
questions to the usual address.

comments posted -- Post a new comment
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/02/29/phorm_roundup/comments/

 ----------------

--Lauren--
NNSquad Moderator