Cable Forum - View Single Post - Virgin Media Phorm Webwise Adverts [Updated: See Post No. 1, 77, 102 & 797]

warescouse · 14-06-2008, 20:33

While I think its correct and proper to complain and make a lot of noise to our MP's, MEP's and the like and certainly 'educate' possible Phorm investors, I sometimes worry if we are fully hitting and educating what I think should be one of our main targets 'Joe public'.

Take for instance the people who follow this forum and stop off at El Reg and similar from time to time. I would guess by and large the readership and writers are internet savvy, technical, and in most, if not all, cases very PC literate. I don't know what number would be within this membership but I would predict that we, and I include myself in that group, would be within a small distinct demographic to use advertiser terminology.

This is where I feel we can fall down at times. I think at times we target too much our own demographic and not target enough the general population who are not as PC literate as ourselves.

If I was to allocate marks on what I have seen so far I would give.

Effort 100%
Legal issues, legal complaints and technical analysis involving anti Phorm propaganda 98%
Educating investors 80%
Joe public anti Phorm propaganda 5%

I am not suggesting we have done anything wrong in what has been achieved, far from it, but what I am suggesting is that we are not hitting home the issue to the larger population. The BT rally will certainly help if we can get enough publicity but I think we have to have more sound-bites that worry Joe public. This has been mentioned before.

I think only then will the daily newspapers and the more general media become 'Phorm Alerted'.

Two hypothetical differing statements (A and B), which one do you think would Joe Public react to the most?
(That is: Joe public who goes online)

A) Phorm performs deep packet inspection and intercepts all your internet data. This will be used to produce targeted adverts and is illegal under the DPA. BT have done illegal trials of this technology.
To find out more go to .....

B) Your internet connection will be intercepted by a company associated with nasty spyware with BT's permission. This company could have access to everything you watch and type online. Big brother could be watching you! Unless you prevent this now, you cannot stop it happening once it is in place.
To find out more go to .....

I am sure that most of you could come up with better examples than I but am I alone in my thoughts? Your comments please?

14-06-2008, 20:33	#8904
warescouse cf.addict Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 337	Re: Virgin Media Phorm Webwise Adverts [Updated: See Post No. 1, 77, 102 & 797] While I think its correct and proper to complain and make a lot of noise to our MP's, MEP's and the like and certainly 'educate' possible Phorm investors, I sometimes worry if we are fully hitting and educating what I think should be one of our main targets 'Joe public'. Take for instance the people who follow this forum and stop off at El Reg and similar from time to time. I would guess by and large the readership and writers are internet savvy, technical, and in most, if not all, cases very PC literate. I don't know what number would be within this membership but I would predict that we, and I include myself in that group, would be within a small distinct demographic to use advertiser terminology. This is where I feel we can fall down at times. I think at times we target too much our own demographic and not target enough the general population who are not as PC literate as ourselves. If I was to allocate marks on what I have seen so far I would give. Effort 100% Legal issues, legal complaints and technical analysis involving anti Phorm propaganda 98% Educating investors 80% Joe public anti Phorm propaganda 5% I am not suggesting we have done anything wrong in what has been achieved, far from it, but what I am suggesting is that we are not hitting home the issue to the larger population. The BT rally will certainly help if we can get enough publicity but I think we have to have more sound-bites that worry Joe public. This has been mentioned before. I think only then will the daily newspapers and the more general media become 'Phorm Alerted'. Two hypothetical differing statements (A and B), which one do you think would Joe Public react to the most? (That is: Joe public who goes online) A) Phorm performs deep packet inspection and intercepts all your internet data. This will be used to produce targeted adverts and is illegal under the DPA. BT have done illegal trials of this technology. To find out more go to ..... B) Your internet connection will be intercepted by a company associated with nasty spyware with BT's permission. This company could have access to everything you watch and type online. Big brother could be watching you! Unless you prevent this now, you cannot stop it happening once it is in place. To find out more go to ..... I am sure that most of you could come up with better examples than I but am I alone in my thoughts? Your comments please?