Cable Forum - View Single Post - Virgin Media Phorm Webwise Adverts [Updated: See Post No. 1, 77, 102 & 797]

CaptJamieHunter · 01-04-2008, 12:41

I'm hoping this isn't an April Fool.

From The Register at http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/04...rm_2006_trial/

"BT secretly intercepted and profiled the web browsing of 18,000 of its broadband customers in 2006 using advertising technology provided by 121Media, the alleged spyware company that changed its name to Phorm last year.

BT Retail ran the "stealth" pilot without customer consent between 23 September and 6 October 2006. The technology was approved, pending a further trial.....

We asked Phorm on Monday how it squares such claims with the fact that it participated in tracking and profiling 18,000 BT customers without their consent. 'Does Phorm believe its actions were ethical and if so, why?', we asked. Rather than answer the question, the company chose to send us this retort..."

I'm not going to give space here to Phorm's petty attempt at a flame war. Suffice to say it's typical Phorm, failing to answer the question and making the same claims which have been challenged and not answered wholly, openly and honestly.

Emboldening is mine. The Register assures that this story is not an April Fool and points out a number of caveats in Phorm's "argument".

The full report is at http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/04...rm_2006_trial/

I believe it is dishonest to refuse to answer openly, honestly and in the public domain technical questions and challenges which have been placed in the public domain.

I believe it is unethical to secretly track without customers' consent their web browsing habits.

I believe it is unethical to mount a PR campaign consisting of spin and obfuscation on the forums and websites of knowledgeable customers who reject Phorm and challenge its claims.

I believe it is unprofessional to try to engage in a flame war when your claims have been challenged and those challenges have not been satisfactorily answered.

01-04-2008, 12:41	#1959
CaptJamieHunter Inactive Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 234	Re: Virgin Media Phorm Webwise Adverts [Updated: See Post No. 1, 77, 102 & 797] I'm hoping this isn't an April Fool. From The Register at http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/04...rm_2006_trial/ "BT secretly intercepted and profiled the web browsing of 18,000 of its broadband customers in 2006 using advertising technology provided by 121Media, the alleged spyware company that changed its name to Phorm last year. BT Retail ran the "stealth" pilot without customer consent between 23 September and 6 October 2006. The technology was approved, pending a further trial..... We asked Phorm on Monday how it squares such claims with the fact that it participated in tracking and profiling 18,000 BT customers without their consent. 'Does Phorm believe its actions were ethical and if so, why?', we asked. Rather than answer the question, the company chose to send us this retort..." I'm not going to give space here to Phorm's petty attempt at a flame war. Suffice to say it's typical Phorm, failing to answer the question and making the same claims which have been challenged and not answered wholly, openly and honestly. Emboldening is mine. The Register assures that this story is not an April Fool and points out a number of caveats in Phorm's "argument". The full report is at http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/04...rm_2006_trial/ I believe it is dishonest to refuse to answer openly, honestly and in the public domain technical questions and challenges which have been placed in the public domain. I believe it is unethical to secretly track without customers' consent their web browsing habits. I believe it is unethical to mount a PR campaign consisting of spin and obfuscation on the forums and websites of knowledgeable customers who reject Phorm and challenge its claims. I believe it is unprofessional to try to engage in a flame war when your claims have been challenged and those challenges have not been satisfactorily answered.