News - European Commission opens proceeding against Phorm

[HEXUS]

Controversial behavioural advertising technology?s implementation in the UK to be investigated.

Read more.

[Agent]

Good.

Hope they get a big fine and told to get lost

[Saracen]

If this actually amounts to action and not just hot air, then maybe the EU comissioon is good for something after all.

Are you pleased that this kind of technology is coming under such scrutiny or do you think Phorm is doing enough to protect our privacy?

Personally, I don't care what Phorm does to protect my browsing privacy, unless it is to not get it's hands on ANY data to do with my activities whatsoever.

In my view, it is not sufficient for them to provide an "opt out", if that means I have to set cookies on every browser and every machine, and to reset them every time that cookie gets deleted or cleaned, or I install a new browser or OS. Nor is it acceptable to me that "opt out" means they don't filter my data streams and insert their ads, but that they still database my activities. Nor is some pseudo anonymising by use of a unique identifier acceptable, when all it takes is for some other data to link that identifier to me and suddenly their entire data record is no longer anonymous.

The ONLY solution acceptable to me is that Phorm never get their grubby little mits on any data relating to me, at all, ever.

So yes, I'm pleased about the scrutiny, but I'll be a LOT more pleased if it actually results in the situation changing in any material way.

[chuckskull]

You two pretty much summed up my thoughts on this.

EU's going up in my opinion(not hard to move up from nothing), first DAN HANNAN!!! Now trying to kill phorm?

[aidanjt]

You gotta appreciated the irony of this. On one hand the EU wants to hoard *all* our internet usage data, on the other they're bitching about a service which turns our browsing habits into a statistical table of what might interest us.

Yay for the EU 'protecting' our rights!

[shaithis]

Have to agree that it seems highly hypercritical what with the recent activation of the logging of all our email and browser activity.......

I guess as long as the info is for THEM and not for some private company, it's "all fine"

[amjedm]

good.

Hope they get a big fine and told to get lost

+1

[Barkotron]

Spot on, Saracen. It MUST be hard opt-in only, and only traffic from opted-in customers must be allowed to go via the Phorm boxes. Anything less just isn't good enough.

Of course, preferably they'd a) be arrested and jailed for the illegal trials, and b) go bust, but the idea that anyone in power in this country (or likely to be in power any time soon) might actually stand up for their own citizens if they think there's a couple of quid to be made is just laughable.

[nichomach]

And in related news:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7999635.stm

Amazon has said it will not allow online advertising system Phorm to scan its web pages to produce targeted ads...

...In a statement, Amazon UK said: "We have contacted Webwise requesting that we opt-out for all of our domains."

The company declined to comment further on the reasons behind its decision.

[crossy]

The only way I'd be comfortable with Phorm is if it's delivered as an opt-in (via a proxy type arrangement?), the current arrangement just doesn't address any of my worries. For example, what's to stop them selling browsing habits etc to phishers - it'd make it way easier for them to then target their malware. I'm with Virgin for my broadband at the moment, but I'll be cancelling asap if they introduce Phorm.

Like most I really hope the EU gives the Government a long overdue slap on the face - and it's a bit of a liberty that we (the public) have got to rely on faceless Eurocrats to look after our interests!

Not surprised that HMG is pro-Phorm, after all according to a story on The Register they've got two Phorm-ers as advisor's on internet policy.

I'd love to give my current opinion on HMG, and Phorm, but if I did then I'm sure I'd get banned for 'inappropriate' language!

[chuckskull]

I'd love to give my current opinion on HMG, and Phorm, but if I did then I'm sure I'd get banned for 'inappropriate' language!

Wouldn't we all