Hello,
As you can see I'm a new subscriber to this forum, but I have read all the posts and I joined to give my moral support in the fight against Phorm and its like.I'm not even a VM customer but I have found this thread has the most comprehensive coverage of Webwise/ Phorm issues.
I'm perhaps typical of an ordinary customer, not particularly au fait with the technical side of things but can do the basics to enable me to find the information which interests me on the internet. I don't want to have to jump through hoops to do this. I try to take all the reasonable steps to safeguard my privacy and security against all the malware out there but I never imagined that would include the service provider (BT) to whom I pay a not inconsiderable sum each month.
I've often thought I'm paying over the odds staying with BT but I've had good service up to recently with only the odd interruption to my service and help when needed, although understanding Indian accents can be challenging at times
However in the last year I've began to have doubts about that service since I've had a couple of instance where BT have been less than honest with me including increasing my direct debit without my permission and then lying to me by saying I had agreed to it.
One thing though, I do not want to pay them to sell my details to another company, one which had its beginnings in using spyware. I part with my money for them to supply me with internet access and that's it.
I'm just surprised that BT could ever imagine that their secret trials would be forever "secret" and it seems to me that the way they have behaved in recent weeks gives me the impression that they mean to continue using Phorm even though they are aware of possible legal problems ahead and that there is a sizeable minority of their customers are very disgruntled - to say the least.
Fortunately for me my contract with BT expires early in June and I have already applied for my MAC and received it. In one way I'll be sorry to leave because as stated above, I have had pretty good service - until recently. I do feel however they have let me down and in a way betrayed the trust between myself and the company I paid for a service.
I have a question too, before I leave BT what should I do if in the unlikely event I am invited to participate in the Webwise trial. I understand from previous posts that even if I opt out, far from my details staying within the BT network they might actually pass through some site in the US notorious for hosting phishing adware. How is this going to affect my internet use. It's almost like a Catch 22 situation, opt in and Phorm get all your personal details opt out and Phorm still get all your details. Or is this too simplistic?
Anyway keep up the good work, I know I'm just a customer and there are aspects of this for website owners that are probably just as, if not more, important but even as a lone individual I think BT are abusing their position.