[unicus]

I've just had an email from my MP which was just a forward of the email he got from BT. It contained a short PDF entitled 'BT and Phorm - 4 April 2008' here's the text;

What is BT’s involvement with Phorm?
Earlier this year BT Retail, along with Virgin Media and Talk Talk, confirmed that it had entered into an
agreement with Phorm, a digital technology company. The agreement with Phorm enables BT Retail, and
the other ISPs that have signed up, to offer customers a new free internet feature called Webwise.

What is BT Webwise and how does it work ?
BT Webwise checks for known fraudulent websites and warns customers if they visit one, with no need
to download or install any software. It also replaces generic adverts on participating websites with
adverts more relevant to customers’ interests, based on the web sites they visit and the things they
search for. Prior to the announcement, BT thoroughly researched Webwise and was encouraged by the
very positive consumer response to the service.

What does this mean for customers’ privacy?
The privacy and security of our customers’ data is of the utmost importance to us. Any information on
users’ browsing is completely anonymous. The system does not store personally identifiable information,
URLs, IP addresses or retain browsing histories. Search information is deleted almost immediately and is
not retrievable. Webwise does not scan webmail pages so emails on Gmail, Yahoo mail or Hotmail are
not scanned. Secure pages such as banking websites and web forms, such as online registration or sign-
up forms, are not scanned. None of the personal information often contained in form fields is, therefore,
ever captured by the system. No data is passed outside BT's network.

Webwise privacy standards have been verified by an external auditor Ernst & Young and leading privacy
advocate Simon Davies, MD of 80/20 Thinking, has also carried out a Privacy Impact Assessment on
Webwise technology.

What next?
BT plans technical trials of the Webwise service in mid April. At no stage will any of our customers be
compelled to use the service, at trial or at any other point in the future. Any service we introduce will be
optional.

The date of the trial will be announced on our website 24 hours in advance. We will be inviting around
10,000 BT broadband customers to take part in the trial. The trial invitation will be presented through a
special web page that will appear when those customers start a web browsing session. At this point,
those customers invited have three options; they can choose to switch on BT Webwise in effect ‘opt in’,
choose not to take part, or choose to find out more information.

The www.bt.com/webwise site contains detailed information on the service, as well as a one-click
option to switch the service off, which can be activated at any point during the trial.

Has BT tested this product previously?
BT conducted two small scale technical tests of a prototype advertising platform in June 2007 and over
2 weeks in September-October 2006. These tests were specifically conducted to evaluate the functional
and technical performance of the platform. Absolutely no personally identifiable information was
processed, stored or disclosed during either trial. As with all Service Providers, it is important for BT to
ensure that, before any potential new technologies are employed, they are robust and fit for purpose.

BT Public Affairs Briefing Note: BT and Phorm Page 1 of 1
Contact Tim O’Sullivan on 020 7356 6593 for further information

It also has a picture of the house of parliament in the top right

This is only what I'd expect from BT (an attempt to obfuscate the truth where possible) but I want to know what my MP thinks - I shall reply...