Quote:
Originally Posted by PhormUKPRteam
Hi Dav / Lucevans
We agree - users have a hard time trusting organisations with personal data. But there is zero chance that we could use or release a user's personal data, because we store zero personal data. While there is some skepticism on the forums, that's mainly because people are still in the mind-set that you can only target ads with personal data just as everyday ad cookies do. We've broken the link between targeting and personal information so we're quite pleased to see people debating online privacy. In addition, as previously stated there is the E&Y oversight and that of the ISPs themselves - accountability and transparency are critical to Webwise and how it works.
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You may not store directly linked information, but your systems do process a lot of personal data and it's entirely possible that the system will be (as happened at AOL) hacked, and that link will be made, and the data exploited by scammers. The systems placed in each ISPs network would become a target for hackers.
As for the "benefits" to the consumer. I do not consider advertising (whether targetted or not) to be a benefit. I personally have no problem with advertising (I moderate this site, which is funded by ads, so for me to have a problem with advertising would be hypocritical) but, I can honestly say that I ignore web based adverts, so targetted ads would provide no benefit.
Also, I personally would not benefit from the webwise protection. I am perfectly capable of protecting myself from scams (on and off line), and find the combination of my own intelligence, the anti spyware/virus software on my PC and my browser's own anti phising systems to be more than adequate. I've been browsing since 1994, and do you know how many times I have been caught out? Twice.
The main problem I have with the system is simple. So far three ISPs have been announced as having signed up. Not one of them (AFAIK) has actually
asked their users if they want this system. I realise that CPW have said they'll look at ways of routing the data around Phorm's systems if customers opt out, and Virgin appear to be considering their position, but, they've only done this in response to the fuss caused by forums (such as this one) and the media.
Even where they have talked about the system, they've played up the percieved benefits of the webwise system without actually mentioning that the system watches what people are looking at.
---------- Post added at 11:30 ---------- Previous post was at 11:27 ----------
Quote:
Originally Posted by dav
The issue here is that Webwise can have access to all personal data (IP addresses, names, postal details etc), before it even reaches the extraction part and "anonymiser". THAT is what I have a huge, angry reaction to.
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Reading through the patent, it would seem that the system has access to a lot more personal data than it needs to target ads.