Quote:
Originally Posted by AlexanderHanff
Oh so this is not personally identifiable?
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en...e+Search&meta=
My name is not in the url request at all....oh hang on it is...
Furthermore, as was proved with the AOL search data, people can be identified from the things they search for even if they don't enter any personal information in their search terms.
So basically more BT BS
Alexander Hanff |
But Alex - your name is in that search string because you (or anyone else searching for "Hanff Phorm" put it there.) I can't quite see how it leads to an identification of the person making making the search, or the fact that a personal name got put in a search box leads to an argument against Phorm. (Although of course your google profile now includes an interest in Phorm matched against your Google cookie unless you delete the cookie and change your IP address)
Or have I misunderstood what you said?
I completely agree with you that it is a fairly trivial matter for anyone with a website to link the Phorm UID of a Webwise opted-in visitor, with their actual logged in website identity and the personal data that the website already holds on them.
I also agree that the "man in the middle" technology that Phorm are installing stinks and makes possible a whole host of nasty things if Phorm/Webwise are prepared to break the law and lie to us , and just allow mission creep to the extent of their own patent documents - which of course they are,
- but I don't agree that your example above about the google search string is a good way of making the point. Maybe I'm being picky!
I also agree that neither Phorm nor BT have actually come up with a decent answer to the lousy security of the Phorm UID. Dr Clayton has not had an answer to his discussion of the security weaknesses of the model.
I also agree that BT produce a lot of BS - that's why I am always happy to quote their statements, because they so often turn out to be wrong, either through incompetence or dishonesty.
Of course you might now get targeted with adverts for Hanff related merchandise?? (for the book 84 Charing Cross Rd by Helene Hanff, who is still above you on the google hits for "Hanff" - wonder how long she can hold out?)