[dse.37]

I'm new here. I've signed up specifically to vent my frustrations on this topic.

First of all, I'd like to point out a pretty big flaw in what was quoted above:

BUT hey, that's the price of free stuff on thre internet- it's paid for by advertising.

This is the sort of thing I expect from Google and Microsoft free web based email, yes, but when I pay for a service on a monthly basis I do not want to have what could be sensitive information sold to a 3rd party. In my opinion, and from what I see from other individuals opinions here, they have no right to do so.

I'm also surprised that nobody is questioning why this service will be monitored on a client side level and why it relies so heavily on cookies. Granted, we might have the "fuxk you" cookie present in our session, but who is to say that these people are listening to what we're telling them to do? This service and any other like it needs to be monitored on a network level, not some weak client side mechanism. Those that want in on the Webwise service and those that don't should be served their internet access from two completely different networks.

I've emailed Virgin Media's CEO, Nick Berkett, but I've yet to receive a reply.

Here's what I had to say:

Dear, Mr. Berkett.

Seeing as the Virgin Media support team are pretty much clueless of their names, never mind anything else I thought I'd get in touch with somebody that I assume knows what's going on. I'll be forever thankful if you could help me out with the following questions:

I'm writing to get more information about the Webwise service going on involving Phorm. I've read an article on your site (http://www.virginmedia.com/customers/webwise.php) detailing some of the features which I can't really see how any paying customer can benefit from. It says that Webwise will help deal with problems such as "phishing," but this is a problem easily overcome with a bit of common sense, a decent email client and a set of updated spam filters.

Another thing that bothers me is the fact that we, the customers, pay for your service then you offer us adverts relevant to what we're doing and looking at on the internet (If I wanted to find something so specific I'd use this new site called Google. You should check it out)... Not only that, but then you try to justify it by offering us said "phishing" solution like there isn't 101 other free alternatives out there. If I use this Webwise service will I get a reduction in my monthly bill due to the fact that Virgin Media will be making even more profit from advertisements they're throwing my way? That's after capturing what could be sensitive packets of information (it doesn't take the sharpest tool in the shed to realize that any technology offering anonymity still comes with huge privacy issues).

If you really want to win the customers over, how about offering us a service that BLOCKS adverts and scam sites that are so rudely offered by the internet? Deny us the option to see and view such things.

Now, if I opt-out of this Webwise service offered by Virgin Media and Phorm, will the sites and services I use as well as the information I submit to the internet still be mirrored to the Webwise system but without it serving advertisements to me? If not, how can I be sure of this?

If/when this service rolls out and I decide to block all traffic to and from the addresses of the Webwise systems, will I still have a fully functional internet service? If not, why?

Will the opt-in process be managed at a network level and not reliant on cookies or any other client side mechanism? If not, why?

Will the service be a case of us all being in and have to opt-out if we don't want it kind of deal? And again, at what level with the customers in on the service and those out be managed?

And finally, I know I'm blowing this out of proportion, but I think I have every right to as a paying customer. I don't see why we should pay for a service and help Virgin Media make even more money by using it. If the internet service was provided free of charge or at most a very small fee, then maybe I'd think about using Virgin Media and Webwise services in the future.

Any more information pointing to how the service will work would be greatly appreciated.
Who knows? Maybe I would find it useful. Perhaps I could find a cheaper ISP that doesn't offer useless services that only benefits the company offering it through an advert that YOU serve me.

Regards,
[removed]

As soon as I get anything back, including his encoded UTF-marketing-bullshiat, I'll post it here.