[basa]

Let’s face it, you can chew the fat forever and a day about the deployment of the Phorm/Webwise software, but I feel it will change nothing. The heat has gone out of the fight both here and at El Reg.

There does not appear to be any effective legal or commercial challenge. Big businesses like BT/VM can generally do what they like, especially when the Government and the Law are not really interested (it is way too small an issue to be high on their agenda). In fact I wouldn’t be surprised if the Government would support such deployment as it would tie in nicely with their anti-terrorist paranoia, especially following Browns proposed Communications Data Bill. Add to that that the ICO have effectively endorsed the system if 'opt-in' is utilised.

Most people in the UK are so used to being manipulated, screwed, ripped-off and spied upon, they no longer have the heart or tools to fight, even if they knew what was going on.

We here who know of these things are a minority. Your majority internet punter won’t have a clue and will be sucked into any opt-in, EULA or change in T&Cs to allow this crap with the seductive promise of a 'safer surfing experience'.

On the other hand BT & VM would probably love to be rid of us (the geeks) who are a thorn in their side and more than likely the greatest users of their bandwidth.