[Barkotron]

Agreed - I think it's counterproductive to move substantive discussion to some kind of secretive "inner circle". It's far better to keep everything out in the open: Phorm have already tried to dismiss a general feeling of mistrust amongst customers (as shown on every single comments page of any story about their technology, the public response has been overwhelmingly negative) as a minority pressure group. I'd say setting up secretive discussion fora plays right into their hands on this one.

Not that there's anything wrong with discussing on IRC, but I'd say the group still needs to be open rather than password/invite-only.