Hank

Well it's nearly 5 weeks since my MP said she had written to the Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP, Minister of State for "Competitiveness" at the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (or "Department of Business and Enterprise" as she first termed it in her original letter - I think mistaking the name)

Still waiting to hear from them!

The Earl of Northesk only had one of his three questions answered so far:

The Earl of Northesk asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are taking any action on the targeted advertising service offered by Phorm in the light of the questions about its legality under the Data Protection and Regulation of Investigatory Powers Acts. [HL2635]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (Baroness Vadera): The Office of the Information Commissioner made a statement on 3 March 2008 that it was in discussion with one company about the nature of its service and the way it uses information about ISP customers. My department will consider the continued relevance of the current safeguards and legislation in the light of the outcome of those discussions.

And is still waiting for these answers:

HL3267 Earl of Northesk [CO] and HL3268 Earl of Northesk [HO]

Earl of Northesk to ask Her Majesty’s Government which law enforcement agency, Department or other statutory body has responsibility for investigating and prosecuting possible criminal breaches of (a) the Data Protection Act 1998, (b) the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, and (c) the Computer Misuse Act 1990. [CO] HL3267

Earl of Northesk to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether any official or Minister in the Home Office has offered written or oral advice to any executive of the company Phorm as to the legality of their targeted advertising software product; if so, what was the advice; in what circumstances was it given; and what was the justification for giving it. [HO] HL3268

Eagerly awaiting the answers....

Hank