Quote:
Originally Posted by Phormic Acid
All accessible web traffic was originally going to be mirrored, although not passed right through the profiler.
Phorm launches data pimping fight back
So if I'm opted out, data passes straight between me and the website I'm visiting? It doesn't enter Phorm's systems at all?
Marc Burgess: What happens is that the data is still mirrored to the profiler but the data digest is never made and the rest of the chain never occurs. However, this soon changed. The change has been restated a number of times, but I think the following quote represents the first time.
Phorm’s Answers (part3)
phail: Virgin and BT are both currently operating an OPT-OUT solution, which would mean all users are opted in by default, and even if they are opted out OUR data is mirrored on phorm servers, regardless of whether the data is used, you ARE collecting it.
KentErtugrul: When a user opts out, the system is OFF. There is no data collection at all The 18 May amendment to Richard Clayton’s analysis does include this, as one of the updates provided by Phorm.
The Phorm “Webwise†System
Phorm also say that “in many ISP implementations (all of the UK ones for instance)†the mirroring system described in paragraph 2 above, can be set to only mirror the traffic of users who have a valid UID. Thus the traffic of those who have the “OPTED OUT†cookie (or are cookie-disabled) is not mirrored and does not reach the out-of-band machine. Even without any Phorm-provided equipment, ISPs already rummage through your HTTP headers. They need to record the host names in all the URLs you access, to comply with the Home Office Voluntary Code of Practice on Data Retention. |
I wouldn't trust that at all. I heard and saw Kent state with his own voice and lips that opted out traffic -still- goes through the profiler but simply doesn't get passed onto the channel server. I was about 4 feet away from him at the time. Furthermore, notice the choice of words:
Quote:
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When a user opts out, the system is OFF. There is no data collection at all
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He is very careful to avoid saying anything about the profiler and simply says no collection, which knowing Kent probably means "We don't send the data to the channel server" (which is the same as he said 4 months ago at the meeting). I don't for one second believe that they have redesigned the system to completely bypass that Layer 7 Switch for opted out users, not even a fraction of a second.
Oh and lets not forget he has also claimed that there is no data collected when the system is opted-in, in fact that has been his biggest PR strategy. The man wouldn't know the truth if it jumped up and waved an OIX banner in his face.
If he wants me to believe that I will need to see real proof because frankly his word doesn't cut it and it is a complete contradiction of himself for the system to work in the way you just described it. Rule of thumb - "Don't trust a damn word that come's out of Kent's mouth."
Alexander Hanff
---------- Post added at 18:19 ---------- Previous post was at 17:48 ----------
I think people are so used to the thread being so busy they feel that have to write something and so in the absence of any new data they are second guessing what we already know.
Why not just take an evening off, things are very positive for us at the moment so relax a little whilst we have the opportunity.
1. Still no trials.
2. NebuAd frozen out of the US market by 4 or 5 ISPs now.
3. Baroness Miller addressing the Home Office.
4. Meeting with Earl of Northesk.
5. The Protest.
6. Home Office FOI showing BT panicking.
7. Phorm shares getting lower than a prom queen at a limbo dance.
And that is just off the top of my head, I am sure there are more reasons to be happy than that.
So chill for a couple of hours, it won't last long we will have to be back on the front line again before you know it, so enjoy it whilst you can. There is plenty of information right here already to keep even the most interested reader busy for a month.
Alexander Hanff