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Old 29-07-2008, 02:22   #12868
warescouse
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Re: Virgin Media Phorm Webwise Adverts [Updated: See Post No. 1, 77, 102 & 797]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter N View Post
At the risk of repeating myself (I've asked this before but it's still relevent and still unanswered)

If ISPs want to profile their customers' data and they are so sure that customers are happy to allow this in return for targetted adverts, why not release Webwise as a browser add-on and allow people to download it.

All of the profiling would be done on the user's PC saving BT and Phorm the cost of installing and maintaining dedicated equipment. There would be no need to fake cookies as the application would send the profile data when they open the webpage and there would be no need for an extra copies to be made of the data so all information would remain entirely on the customer's PC. Add to that the fact that Phorm already have such software ready made from their previous spyware toolbar add-ons and you have to wonder what is going on.

This is a cheaper, safer and more effective solution than Phorm's DPI based one so you have to ask the simple question:-

Why are the ISPs so fired up about using DPI to get information that can be obtained much more cost effectively and with no legal problems through existing methods?

Could it be because the system I suggest can only be used to deliver adverts and can't be subverted into other uses such as surveillance or personal profiling?
Yes I thought that Phorms (121Media) PeopleOnPage browser add-on did basically the same thing when linked with their contextPlus Engine. (Nasty Spyware though (can you see much difference?) )

I think the post Rob Jones referenced this evening on BT beta Here #12828 definitely throws up some very interesting points that are very much in-line with some of my thoughts (and perhaps yours) and excellently put across in the comment referenced.
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