Virgin Media Phorm Webwise Adverts [Updated: See Post No. 1, 77, 102 & 797]

[none]

Originally Posted by Sirius

How do i get a graphic to show as my sig ?

I think someone already mentioned, but you need to >>

1: Have the image already saved onto computer (i.e. the desktop)

2: Then go into your User CP and under Edit Signature select Option 2 - Upload Image From Your Computer

3: Now browse to the image on your desktop and select it, then press the Preview Post button

4: Finally once it is showing in the preview window click the button Insert Signature Picture and it will add the correct BBcode straight into your sig area. NOTE: you need javascript enabled for this part to work


Hope that helps

It's strange this - many people aren't agreeing with this and have posted to say so but those who have voted 'No' are not saying why they have voted 'No', come on have something to say, 16 people like the idea but for some reason haven't told us why, tell us why you think this is a great idea, while your telling us - can we look through your fridge? Peer through your windows? After all you don't mind people watching you on the internet, so why would the other stuff bother you? ...

Or perhaps they have voted 'No' to make a lame attempt at spoiling the poll.

While i find it incredible to believe anyone is ok with this Mick it is people's right to vote how they want and not have to defend it. Like you i hope they voted no because thats what they believe rather then to spoil the poll. I think in a way it's quite funny that on this thread we are objecting to an invasion of privacy and you want people to giveup their privacy to answer you.

[Sirius]

Originally Posted by AbyssUnderground

In your User CP, go to signature, and underneath where you upload your avatar there is another box for uploading your sig. Upload it, return to the signature page and click the link next to it that says "Insert signature image" and {SIG PIC}{/SIGPIC} (with the square brackets) should appear inside the sig box.

Took me a while don't worry

Thanks

[SMHarman]

Originally Posted by Mick

It's strange this - many people aren't agreeing with this and have posted to say so but those who have voted 'No' are not saying why they have voted 'No', come on have something to say, 16 people like the idea but for some reason haven't told us why, tell us why you think this is a great idea, while your telling us - can we look through your fridge? Peer through your windows? After all you don't mind people watching you on the internet, so why would the other stuff bother you? ...

Or perhaps they have voted 'No' to make a lame attempt at spoiling the poll.

Mike, I assume you don't have a tesco clubcard* or similar. If you do, there is no real need for Tesco to come rifle through your fridge as you have already agreed to uniquely identify your buying habits to them.

This identification is to the extent that when you sign up to the on line shopping you get a customised list of the things you usually buy - as identified by your clubcard.

Tesco of course give you money for giving up such privacy. Would you be more amenable to this if you not Virgin got the money from Phorm?

* I use Tesco but this applies to any form of loyalty card - I'm not picking on Tesco specifically but using them to highlight a similar process many of us are bought into.

[Sirius]

Originally Posted by Mick

It's strange this - many people aren't agreeing with this and have posted to say so but those who have voted 'No' are not saying why they have voted 'No', come on have something to say, 16 people like the idea but for some reason haven't told us why, tell us why you think this is a great idea, while your telling us - can we look through your fridge? Peer through your windows? After all you don't mind people watching you on the Internet, so why would the other stuff bother you? ...

Or perhaps they have voted 'No' to make a lame attempt at spoiling the poll.

Remember they will also not mind the information from sites where they have made purchase's and from when ever they visit a site that relates to the bank if it is not secure. I do not trust Phorm in any way shape or Phorm. their history as 121 media means that should this be an OPT out and not an OP IN it will make them an automatic removal from my list of providers.

[MovedGoalPosts]

But with the shopping loyalty cards, you have to opt in, not opt out. A key difference since even if opted in you choose with each transaction if you then let them track what is being bought. Moreover, your shopping preferences are kept to that shop (unless you ticked the sell off my details box when you applied for a card), and not divulged to who knows who.

The Phorm scam works simply by checking everything whether you like it or not. The most you seem to be able to do is block the resulting ads. You are opted in to the scanning, like it or not. Worse your habits are being sent by your "trusted" supplier, with whom you do have privacy agreements, against your will, to unknown and possibly unscrupulous third parties of Phorm and their advertising partners.

[Sirius]

Originally Posted by Rob

The Phorm scam

And thats the name for it. SCAM

Originally Posted by RizzyKing

While i find it incredible to believe anyone is ok with this Mick it is people's right to vote how they want and not have to defend it. Like you i hope they voted no because thats what they believe rather then to spoil the poll. I think in a way it's quite funny that on this thread we are objecting to an invasion of privacy and you want people to giveup their privacy to answer you.

Part and parcel of this poll is to weigh up both sides of the arguement and I am trying to gauge opinion from those who have voted no. I have not asked anyone to give up their privacy at all, more or less get involve with democracy, get their voice heard. - All I am saying is that the people who have voted no, are obviously not bothered about the intrusion this Phorm is all about. It's on a par with and no different than me looking through someones windows, thus I am trying to understand and indeed interested in why some people think such a process like this is okay.

[Traduk]

SMHarman,

Equating the proposed spying by VM and Phorm with store cards does not correlate.

I have store cards and each and every time I pay for goods I can choose whether I say yes or no when I am asked if I am a card holder. I have to opt into the profiling system, in exchange for monetary inducements, each and every time. A more direct comparison with VM and Phorm would be if a staff member of a supermarket dogged every step that I took in a store and stuck an advert from a large book of adverts in my face. If a supermarket chain was to choose to take such a fast track to bankruptcy I think the staff allocated to such a task would require danger money.

[SMHarman]

Originally Posted by Traduk

SMHarman,

Equating the proposed spying by VM and Phorm with store cards does not correlate.

I have store cards and each and every time I pay for goods I can choose whether I say yes or no when I am asked if I am a card holder. I have to opt into the profiling system, in exchange for monetary inducements, each and every time.

So thus far the analagy stands but the difference is the opt in or opt out aspect at a transactional level. Not the fact you are passing transactional data.

Originally Posted by Traduk

A more direct comparison with VM and Phorm would be if a staff member of a supermarket dogged every step that I took in a store and stuck an advert from a large book of adverts in my face. If a supermarket chain was to choose to take such a fast track to bankruptcy I think the staff allocated to such a task would require danger money.

Though the supermarket sends you tailored offers and decides shop layout and promotional advertising that will appear in your store based on this data. You could say the store is doing it's best to shove ads in your face as you walk around. Wait until Tesco change their cards from barcode cards to RFID cards that will be read as you walk around the store.

[brundles]

Originally Posted by SMHarman

So thus far the analagy stands but the difference is the opt in or opt out aspect at a transactional level. Not the fact you are passing transactional data.
Though the supermarket sends you tailored offers and decides shop layout and promotional advertising that will appear in your store based on this data. You could say the store is doing it's best to shove ads in your face as you walk around. Wait until Tesco change their cards from barcode cards to RFID cards that will be read as you walk around the store.

Agreed, that swapping the cards to RFID based would be slightly more invasive, but you stilll have to both opt-in in the first place and also physically opt in by taking the card into the store every time.

[lucevans]

Originally Posted by SMHarman

So thus far the analagy stands but the difference is the opt in or opt out aspect at a transactional level. Not the fact you are passing transactional data.
Though the supermarket sends you tailored offers and decides shop layout and promotional advertising that will appear in your store based on this data. You could say the store is doing it's best to shove ads in your face as you walk around. Wait until Tesco change their cards from barcode cards to RFID cards that will be read as you walk around the store.

SMHarman - your argument is valid when made against people who DO have a store loyalty card, but I am a Virgin Media broadband customer who has always chosen NOT to trade my buying habits for a minimal discount - I value my privacy more than £1.50 off my weekly shopping bill. So what argument can you put forward for ME having to endure a total loss of privacy and security on the internet?

[tweetypie/8]

Originally Posted by Mick

Haven't seen this posted anywhere else... Forgive me if it has...

From the story posted yesterday, here.

What do you make of this and would you be opting out, by opting out you are telling Virgin Media, you do not want your surfing habits tracked and this information given to a third party?

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There have been Updates since the beginning of this thread:-

Post 77:- http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/34491957-post77.html


Post 102:- http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/34492122-post102.html

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FAQ:-

Who should I complain to about this if this is something I do not agree with?

The first port of call should be to complain to Virgin Media directly, state that you are not happy about your data being tracked and sold to a third party even if your identity is protected or not.

Secondly, there is a Data Protection concern regarding how the data is collected and the fact customers have automatically been opted in, regulation usually requires that customers should be given the option to Opt in.

If you are concerned and feel you need to complain to The Information Commissioner's Office - http://www.ico.gov.uk/ You can ring them on 01625 545 745.

When will Virgin Media Implement this system with Phorm?

Virgin Media have simply stated that they have not decided yet what they are doing or what options are there for the customers. The bottom line is, they need to be fully consulting with the customer and we will be making sure that they provide relevant information to the customer and what options will be available to them.

Is there anything I can download to prevent this 'Intrusion' i.e stopping the data analysis being collected by my ISP and passed on to the likes of Phorm?

Yes there is, its called Tor and can be downloaded Free from http://www.torproject.org/. Please make sure you read the documentation before you decide to download and use it. Please note that use of this software is at your own risk.

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it dosent sound right,no way hosay !!.

[Sirius]

Anyone know if BE Unlimited have made any statement about this Spyware ?