BT's decision to ditch Phorm is a victory for privacy

By Jim Killock on Jul 06, 2009. Comments (6)
Tags: Privacy


It is reported this morning that BT has dropped Phorm's Webwise, the controversial behavioural advertising system that profiles internet users based on a reading of their internet traffic.

The invasive system has faced mounting opposition from regulators and campaigners, including Open Rights Group, for failing to require consent before profiling users, particularly as part of secret trials conducted in 2007.

Open Rights Group welcomes BT's decision and hopes other UK ISPs, particularly Virgin Media and TalkTalk, will follow their lead. This is the right decision for BT and other online providers who respect privacy.

Phorm will remain a threat to our fundamental rights while they offer services that intercept communications without the consent of all parties.

Comments (6)

  1. Louise Ferguson:
    Jul 11, 2009 at 12:47 PM

    Ah, my mistake, mis-read my garbled notes. Her name is Sharon O'Leary.
    Sharon.oleary@phorm.com

  2. View From Planet Jamie » BT Drops Phorm:
    Jul 06, 2009 at 02:50 PM

    [...] by BT rather kills those comments.  BrandRepublic reports this story as does The Register, the ORG, the BBC, and the Telegraph.  So I’m not dreaming, this is actually [...]

  3. William:
    Jul 06, 2009 at 09:42 PM

    Disappointing that BT say it was a cost-cutting measure instead of because Webwise was immoral and probably illegal. But I suppose their change of heart is enough to lift my personal ban on recommending BT broadband to friends and rellies (they've lost several customers this way over the last year).

  4. William:
    Jul 06, 2009 at 09:44 PM

    Should have added: WELL DONE the team. Well done Jim, Michael, Nick and Richard from FIPR and the full list of names honourably mentioned on the bizarre StopPhoulPlay attack web site.

  5. kieran:
    Jul 07, 2009 at 01:45 PM

    This should of ended in 2007 when it was trialed secretly. Or better, not done at all. Don't sell my clicks for profit. not when Im paying £30 a month. Makes me want to be physicly sick.

  6. Louise Ferguson:
    Jul 11, 2009 at 12:34 PM

    And covered in the New York Times, to boot.

    I have spoken this week to Phorm Towers about the content of that bizzare website of theirs, but the only person there capable of stringing together a legal sentence is in NY this week, presumably trying to rescue the organisation from an early grave.

    By the way, for anyone that's interested in communicating, their legal person is Lynn Read: lynn.read@phorm.com

    Perhaps we should regard it as a badge of honour that Phorm makes these bizarre claims.



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