CyberLaw Blog

Archive for the ‘Phorm’ Category

Brussels bounces BT-Phorm quiz back to UK.gov: “

‘Let’s try that once more shall we?’

The European Commission has again written to the government for an explanation of UK authorities’ response to BT’s allegedly illegal secret trials of Phorm’s ISP adware system.…

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(Via The Register - Comms.)

BT’s Phorm small print: It’s all your fault: “

‘Daddy needs to tell you about an exciting new service called WebWise’

BT subscribers who are invited to take part in its new trial of Phorm’s internet monitoring and advertising system will be responsible for telling anyone who uses their computer that they could be being tracked online - whether they opt in or not.…

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(Via The Register - Comms.)

BT rolls out Phorm web tracking: “Thousands of BT broadband customers are to have their internet usage tracked
so they can be sent targeted online advertising in a final trial before the
service is launched network-wide.”

(Via Tech and Web from Times Online.)

American ISP giants: If we Phorm, we’ll get consent: “

‘No need to legislate’

After months of controversy over ISP-level ad targeting systems from the likes of Phorm and NebuAd, three of America’s four largest ISPs have told Congress that such behavior-tracking shouldn’t exist unless web surfers give their explicit approval.…

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(Via The Register - Comms.)

Police drop BT-Phorm probe: “

‘Move along please, nothing to see’

Exclusive City of London Police have decided not to formally investigate BT and Phorm for their allegedly illegal secret ISP-level adware trials, arguing that there was implied consent from customers and it would be a waste of public money.…

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(Via The Register - Public Sector.)

UK government responds on Phorm: “A controversial ad-serving system can be rolled out in the UK but only under strict guidelines, says the government.”

(Via BBC News.)

BT’s secret Phorm trials: UK.gov responds: “

EU lawyers mull action

Exclusive The European Commission is analysing the government’s explanation of why UK authorites have taken no action over BT and Phorm’s allegedly illegal broadband wiretapping and ad targetting experiments in 2006 and 2007.…

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(Via The Register - Comms.)

British Firm Phorm Trudges Through the Deep Packet Storm: “Deep packet inspection — the secret harvesting of granular details about individual internet activity so companies can make better guesses about what to sell you — has been facing a slow death in the U.S. But British firm Phorm, which provides a similar service abroad, has so far managed to steer through the death-inducing scrutiny and negative press that has enveloped NebuAd.

(Via Wired News.)

Police quiz BT on secret Phorm trials: “

RIPA? Never heard of it officer…

City of London police questioned BT earlier this week as part of a probe into the covert wiretapping and profiling of the internet use of tens of thousands of BT customers during tests of Phorm’s adware system.…

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(Via The Register - Public Sector.)

Phorm: Our business is fine, honest: “

UK.gov promises legal explanation for secret trials this month

After its share price slumped to a new low, Phorm today sought to allay investor fears about the ISP-level adware business by repeating assurances that a critical third trial with BT will go ahead.…

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(Via The Register - Comms.)