[CaptJamieHunter]

One slightly shattered Captain is back. I see Virgin Media hasn't issued any kind of statement. Oh well, if they won't actually say things publicly as was strongly hinted then that's their own fault (the moral of this story is if you say to me that you're going to do something, do it!). They've had a day and a half already. To me that is plenty of time.

People here know that last month I wrote to Neil Berkett outlining my concerns about Phorm and that I've already had a correspondence with Ian Woodham, VM's Data Protection Officer. Ian's response has been carefully worded on his part (understandably) and thus a bit unsatisfying. That's no criticism of Ian, at that time there was only so much he was able to say. It seemed a good idea that Neil Berkett should know more about Phorm and why there is a backlash against it.

On Monday morning I received a phone call from the number 08454 540000. That number had called the previous evening while I was out. I Googled the number and it showed as a VM office number. When it rang this morning, it was someone saying he was calling on behalf of Neil Berkett and we talked for about 35 minutes.

As part of the chat said chappie read to me a prepared statement which he said was "just this minute from his colleague in the press office". The statement made a number of points which could be seen as being aimed at clarifying some of the spin from Phorm's PR statements.

I asked if the statement was available online anywhere so people could read it for themselves and he said it wasn't online yet but that it would be. I was just out of the shower so it didn't occur to me to ask when it would be issued.

I was able to note down a few snippets:

"We (VM) haven't signed up with Phorm, we've expressed an interest"

"VM are looking into concerns about legality and customer privacy"

"There is absolutely no foregone conclusion that VM will implement Phorm"

"Concerns about customers' security and any effect on our reputation will be at the forefront of our thoughts"

I re-emphasised my concerns over my belief that Phorm is illegal and that any opt-out must prevent data from going anywhere near Phorm's network. I made and re-emphasised that point. Chappie assured me that Neil Berkett had seen my letter and that he is "taking my concerns seriously". No doubt the bit about VM's reputation taking a hammering struck a nerve. "The people with whom you associate has a huge bearing on your reputation" is another point I made.

The Guardian's rejection statement may also have some influence as chappie mentioned the Guardian is quite influential amongst its peers.

I emphasised (as a VM customer who wants to stay a VM customer because I loathe BT) that VM needed to issue this statement publicly as soon as they could because their is a customer perception of inaction on their part.

Having had a statement read to me and been told it would be issued, I am disappointed that Virgin Media have not done so.

Maybe I should have recorded the call, maybe I should have asked for written confirmation. As requested, I have not named the contact at Virgin Media although I do have his contact details here. I was also complimented on the tone and conciseness of my letter (concise? moi? surely not!). Had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming!

I suggest that everyone here who is a Virgin Media customer writes to Neil Berkett (and I mean write, not e-mail) with a polite letter making brief points. CEOs don't like techie stuff so keep it summarised with impact points such as illegal, interception without permission, VM reputation, Phorm reputation, customers moving away because of perceived inaction.

Please keep it polite. If we can convince the CEO this is as wrong as we believe it is and that VM is and will suffer reputation damage and loss of income then we have a very influential ally. It's important that VM realise this isn't about not wanting them to make money - it's about customers being able to trust their ISP to not get involved with what many (including some very eminent people) believe to be an illegal scheme.

Time for some hot tea and a hot bath...