Bad Phorm: New BT trial begins, Safari users spared

By Davey Winder
Monday, 29 September 2008 16:23

Networking

Controversial behavioral advertising targeting outfit Phorm will start new trials of the Webwise system with BT Total Broadband customers starting tomorrow and lasting many weeks. iTWire explains how, and why, to opt out.

The EU has, as of yet, not managed to stop Phorm and the intrusive web advert tracking technology it uses.

European Union Commissioner for Information Society and Media, Viviane Reding has written to the UK Government, formally requesting clarification on whether Phorm has broken European data laws.

The Government has managed to get extra time to provide that reply. Meanwhile, City of London Police detectives have closed the investigation into the secret BT trials of web spying Phorm technology.

The official reason being that to continue would be a waste of public money as BT customers had given 'implied consent' to the trials.

Trials which are set to recommence tomorrow, this time involving at least 10,000 users of the BT Total Broadband service.

The PR company representing Phorm kindly email me this morning to inform me "as a Phorm follower" that "BT customers are being invited to take part in the trial, which will take place over a number of weeks."

The email went on to state that "following successful completion of this trial and an appropriate period of analysis and planning, it is currently expected that Phorm's platform will be rolled out across BT's network." BT itself has a web page which confirms the 30th September date for rolling out the new trial.

"Customers who have been selected on an anonymous basis will be invited to participate in the trial via a special web page that will appear when they open their web browser" BT says.

So how can BT customers opt out of the Phorm trial? We reveal all on page 2...

CONTINUES