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Originally Posted by oblonsky
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Phorm insist that they will respect robots.txt, an established mechanism granting a machine the rights to scan and classify the content.
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If you could reference that, I'd be interested.
I've just done Google site searches on "robots.txt" on the mirrored copy of BT Webwise FAQ, the webwise.bt.com copy of the same FAQ and also on phorm.com - got zero hits each time.
Granted there are various contradictory and confusing and vague public statements out there, about robots.txt, but I have so far found nothing that clearly states the Phorm/Webwise position on robots.txt beyond their statement that if you admit google, you admit them.
I also have private communications from BT managers about robots.txt, in response to my questions, but it is always a challenge to match up what Kent Ertugrul says in public with what the BT management are prepared to put in writing. What I have from them on this is
"We are also taking steps to ensure that those websites that do not want search engines to 'crawl' them (by the use of robots.txt) will also be excluded from the Webwise service." which is not exactly clear.
It is still unclear how Webwise/Phorm intend to establish the informed consent of websites to having the unique personal data exchange with their site visitors profiled for profit by a 3rd party who is neither the identified site visitor nor the website itself, as part of a process where cookies are forged including the registered domain name of the site and falsely represent themselves as coming from the site.
It is also unclear how Phorm/Webwise intent to take note of clear "body text" prohibition notices placed by site owners on their sites which specifically bar them from visiting.
Again - if you can quote chapter and verse that would be appreciated. One of the things we appreciate about Alex is that his comments are always backed by clear attributions and references. If you are going to engage in debate here you need to do the same - please quote your sources and your legal authorities so we can make an informed judgement on what you say.