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

[OldBear]

Originally Posted by Paul Delaney

Seeing that picture of Bill or is it Ben reminded me of a site I came across recently. Some of you will remember the Ladybird Easy Reading Books - a bit OT be worth a Friday laugh (sorry):

http://seorant.ath.cx/police/ladybird.html

Superb!

[bluecar1]

Originally Posted by roadrunner69

Its on a par with your house being burgled and the police refusing to investigate properly. You would, quite rightly, be as angry with the police as with the burglar.
(And that happens more often than you might think )

normal day at the office then, heres your crime number, go claim off the insurance, by the way diy finger print kit in post !!!

peter

also got a prompt reply from my mp today

"I am meeting the company shortly and have met them once before. I'm onto this. Derek "

could be an allie, has responded will keep you all inphormed

peter

[davethejag]

Hi Just seen this - (Phorm v Alex)

Profile-based online ad system specialist Phorm has responded to comments by Alexander Hanff, calling them 'inaccurate and misleading'. ...

http://www.telecom.paper.nl/news/art...?id=220652&nr=

Dave.

(You have be a subscriber though!...Blast!) Anyone have access to it?

[gnilddif]

Originally Posted by tdadyslexia

I have recreated the BT Webwise interstitial page Here.

It is easier to read, and easier to print out.

Useful thanks tdadyslexia.

Fwiw I just wrote to BT legal department:

Dear Mr BlackedOutName

As part of some documents released under a FOI request by the ICO that are on public view at various websites I have been looking at the proposed interstitial page that BT says will pop up when the trial begins.

There are several important issues here:

1. This page could pop up when anyone is using any of the computers on the home LAN here – my wife, my children, a visitor – and if I, the account holder, am not at home to be consulted there is nothing to stop one of these third parties from clicking on the Switch On button, in the ill-informed mistaken belief that BTWebwise is merely a benign anti-phishing application that also helps reduce unnecessary advertising. There is nothing on the page that warns the viewer that data will be processed and that browsing will be redirected. There is nothing that explains clearly how the cookies will operate. The page is unclear about whether any data will be processed even in the event of clicking No. There is nothing to say what will happen if the page is simply switched off – an option that many users will opt for if they do not understand it, can’t be bothered with it because they regard it as an unsolicited time-wasting nuisance and simply wish to get on with their intended internet use, like I know my wife would do. I am the account holder and am very alarmed that BT is proposing to launch a service that can so easily permit a third party to alter my contract with BT without my knowledge and permission. For a company that claims to take security seriously, this is abysmal. In this respect alone the product is not fit for purpose.

2. The page appears to be a blatant breach of the new regulations regarding Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading; http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/bus.../oft931int.pdf
BT must ensure that the main characteristics of the product are clear – benefits of the product, risks of the product, and especially the motives of the commercial practice. It is obvious that BT’s real motive behind BTWebwise is to collect revenue from selling BT customers’ browsing habits to phorm. The promise of anti-phishing technology and better-suited advertising is a smoke-screen. This is a blatant Misleading Omission that can’t be justified by hiding it away in the small print of the T&Cs, if that is BT’s intention. BT must inform customers more comprehensively than this if it is to demonstrate that due diligence that it keeps trumpeting.

3. The casual reference to cookies is irresponsible because it assumes a sophisticated depth of computer knowledge that most customers do not possess. I have just asked all my family what they understand by cookies – they don’t know and they are not interested. They just wish to go straight to a website in the interests of business or pleasure, and that is the duty of BT, my current ISP. I spend much time trying to secure our computer systems against malignant and undesirable software products. I don’t want BT telling third parties they need BTWebwise, planting cookies on my systems and interfering with my security measures without my knowledge.

gnilddif

[amanfromMars]

Surely Private Phorms/MetaDataMining Operations in an Administered State will result in First Party Knowledge into Third Party hands for Trade with First Party's who would be buying their needs rather than being supplied with their feeds. Thus creating a captive capitalist state. ..... is one scenario.

And that is surely a gross indecent act against the State. Make a wrong move and it can be treasonable.

x integer > O = AIR&dD

Per Ardua, Quantum Solace in Deed.

[bluecar1]

Originally Posted by gnilddif

Useful thanks tdadyslexia.



2. The page appears to be a blatant breach of the new regulations regarding Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading; http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/bus.../oft931int.pdf
BT must ensure that the main characteristics of the product are clear – benefits of the product, risks of the product, and especially the motives of the commercial practice. It is obvious that BT’s real motive behind BTWebwise is to collect revenue from selling BT customers’ browsing habits to phorm. The promise of anti-phishing technology and better-suited advertising is a smoke-screen. This is a blatant Misleading Omission that can’t be justified by hiding it away in the small print of the T&Cs, if that is BT’s intention. BT must inform customers more comprehensively than this if it is to demonstrate that due diligence that it keeps trumpeting.


gnilddif

gnilddif,

you need to be careful about the selling of data,

if you read what they do they do not sell the data as they own (it is gifted to them by phorm) the dpi kit and adserver, they get a share of the revenue from the adverts served, subtle difference i know but they can simply argue they do not sell the data and ignore point 2

peter

---------- Post added at 13:22 ---------- Previous post was at 13:20 ----------

Originally Posted by amanfromMars

Surely Private Phorms/MetaDataMining Operations in an Administered State will result in First Party Knowledge into Third Party hands for Trade with First Party's who would be buying their needs rather than being supplied with their feeds. Thus creating a captive capitalist state. ..... is one scenario.

And that is surely a gross indecent act against the State. Make a wrong move and it can be treasonable.

x integer > O = AIR&dD

Per Ardua, Quantum Solace in Deed.

english please not martian !!

anyone notice this http://www.out-law.com/page-9209

seems like the ico can have some small teeth for other gov dept's just not bt or phorm

peter

[Florence]

To add a little more worrying information into the large pot stirring around for final curtain....
Anyone seen the report that VM will supply free BB to 1000 families, wonder if they will be phormed since the target of the free internet is the less advantaged families.

http://www.ispreview.co.uk/news/EkEuVylZAEAYXtqEXj.html

[warescouse]

Originally Posted by Florence

To add a little more worrying information into the large pot stirring around for final curtain....
Anyone seen the report that VM will supply free BB to 1000 families, wonder if they will be phormed since the target of the free internet is the less advantaged families.

http://www.ispreview.co.uk/news/EkEuVylZAEAYXtqEXj.html

Not one to defend VM normally, but I think the huge negative PR if the cat ever got out of the bag would not allow them to chance this. It would be PR suicide.

But saying that, who would ever thought that BT would hook up with a company that wrote spyware.

[davethejag]

BT promoting privacy! -

"BT Privacy at Home* registers you for the Telephone Preference Service which helps stop unwanted sales calls"

Taken from here ( BT Phone Service) -

http://www.productsandservices.bt.co...n_FURL_privacy

Dave.

[NTLVictim]

Two page article on phorm in PC Plus magazine issue 271 on sale July the 1st.

Circulation; 28,000.

[wecpc]

Originally Posted by bluecar1

normal day at the office then, heres your crime number, go claim off the insurance, by the way diy finger print kit in post !!!

peter

also got a prompt reply from my mp today

"I am meeting the company shortly and have met them once before. I'm onto this. Derek "

could be an allie, has responded will keep you all inphormed

peter

After writing to Derek Wyatt (my MP also) several weeks ago, I have had several emails from his Office since including one directly from him after I accused him of 'trying to pass the buck'. The only info that was received were items we were already aware of and common knowledge. At least he appears to be doing something. I have kept all emails sent & received from him just in case, as well as all other communications I have from other sources including Simon Watkins at the HO.

Colin

[Florence]

Originally Posted by NTLVictim

Two page article on phorm in PC Plus magazine issue 271 on sale July the 1st.

Circulation; 28,000.

First question is it a PR stunt by Phorm, Has Kent used his snake charming act on them?

Has it got the correct information of what phorm do past and what is planned?

Is it as mis-quoted as the ICO, and all others who had some good also negative where phorm focused on the good and ignored the negative in quotes.

[NTLVictim]

Can't quote copyright, but it basically gives them a shoeing. I only just glanced over it (came through the door just now.)

[amanfromMars]

english please not martian !!

It is english, peter, with a dash of latin for zest and it makes a certain sense.

[Florence]

Originally Posted by amanfromMars

It is english, peter, with a dash of latin for zest and it makes a certain sense.

How about 100% english with repeat showing the dash of latin for zest tired eyes brains getting shattered from all the cloak and dagger work phorm are doing to stealth this in under the guise of transparency.