Bad Phorm: New BT trial begins, Safari users spared

Davey Winder
Monday, 29 September 2008 16:23

Business IT - Networking

While the BT blurb makes much of how BT Webwise "checks for suspected fraudulent websites and warns you if you are attempt to visit one" it has also revised its terms and conditions for customers on the trial.

In clause 19 you will discover that BT will "endeavour to keep our list of suspected fraudulent or illegal sites as up to date as possible" but accepts no liability for any losses if the "BT Webwise service fails to warn you about a fraudulent or illegal site."

Well, that pretty much makes that pointless then.

What about the marketing push about "replacing generic ads with ones which may be of more interest to you based on the web sites you visit and the things you search for" then? if this does not scare off the average user I don't know what will.

The BT Webwise privacy statement is not exactly reassuring just repeating the marketing drivel on the whole.

Clause 18 of the revised terms and conditions makes it clear, however, that users consent to "all technical operations that we may carry out in connection with providing the BT Webwise service."

Including "diverting your (or the other user's) requests for web pages" and the "automatic scanning of web pages and web requests."

Despite my previous misgivings perhaps now is the time for BT Broadband customers at least to make the switch to Chrome. Google should get BT and Phorm to do a Gates and Seinfeld style advert, I am sure it would be a huge success...