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

[lucevans]

Originally Posted by Spleeny

Good idea.

I have emailed BBC Watchdog, pointing out that both BT and VM are planning (or pro-actively) doing this. Can I strongly encourage others to do same, so that the BBC will take up the course.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/consumer/tv_and...ct_index.shtml

Done!

[lucevans]

Does anyone know whether the VM business broadband package will be subjected to the same surveillance?

[rare uk]

Not read the thread - it's a bit BIG , but would this help.

[Toto]

Originally Posted by rare uk

Not read the thread - it's a bit BIG , but would this help.

Haha


If you had read the thread, the answer may well have been no.

---------- Post added at 09:29 ---------- Previous post was at 08:04 ----------

Latest Reg articlie.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/02...d_isp_targets/

A current Sky subscriber and Cableforum member, no names mentioned, may be internested in this little snippit.

Meanwhile a spokesman for Sky, the UK's fastest growing broadband network with about 1.2 million lines, said: "Sky is interested in exploring the potential for targeted online advertising and is talking with a number of companies operating in this area.
"Of paramount importance is the online safety of our customers and will only implement a solution when we can use customer data in a responsible way which safeguards privacy."

As I have already said on two occasions in this thread, Sky's margin in its BB offering is very tight, and this could be a way of seeing profit from its offering.

[melevittfl]

Originally Posted by rare uk

Not read the thread - it's a bit BIG , but would this help.

Yes, it would.

Tor would hide information about what websites you were visiting from VM/Phorm. All they would be able to tell is that you are communicating with another Tor node.

[TheBlueRaja]

Originally Posted by Toto

Latest Reg articlie.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/02...d_isp_targets/

A current Sky subscriber and Cableforum member, no names mentioned, may be internested in this little snippit.



As I have already said on two occasions in this thread, Sky's margin in its BB offering is very tight, and this could be a way of seeing profit from its offering.

Ouch!

I'll be keeping an eye on that - might be time to move on.

[aMIGA_dUDE]

What would be interesting is what Google thinks about this taking place.

I can see there lawyers getting involve if it even fear it could effect there add business like double click that they just spent billion's buying.

---------- Post added at 12:06 ---------- Previous post was at 12:01 ----------

Just thinking would using a service from the likes of OpenDNS bypast this SPYING business.

http://www.opendns.com/

[MovedGoalPosts]

I can't see why google would have the ability to complain if an alternate ad system takes over. There are alternates that would similarly anyway from groups like yahoo, or indeed wherever. None of these advertisers can force a website to take it's content, and indeed that will be the same for Phrom, who may be able to scrutinise brwosing, but unless the visited websites take phorm rather than other content, they don't make any money.

[popper]

thanks to the
"By Anonymous Coward
Posted Wednesday 27th February 2008 17:07 GMT
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/02...2007/comments/

I love the patents system. Could this be it? Names KENT THOMAS ERTUGRUL as inventor and 121Media as applicant. Published in Sep 2007.
"TARGETED CONTENT DELIVERY FOR NETWORKS"
"

http://v3.espacenet.com/textdoc?DB=E...2007108818&F=0

it would appear that it is indeed the patent, im wondering if its valid for the UK as its a software patent is it not?.

have a real hard read,and take it in, i just skipped over it quick and several things scream out.
http://v3.espacenet.com/textdes?DB=E...N=WO2007108818

"
...
[0014] As described herein, the collection of user behavior data may be facilitated by one or more service providers to enhance user experience. A service provider may include an internet service provider (ISP), cable provider, telephone provider, wireless provider, or other telecommunications provider.

The data collected may include, for example, the browsing behavior with regards to internet web pages requested by and/or delivered to the user's client device, wherein the data collected can be used to enable improved selection and delivery of content tailored specifically to the user.

The data collected may also include viewing behavior with regards to other programming such as television, radio or other programming provided via the service provider, such as the amount of time particular content is viewed, the type and/or frequency of content selected by the user, among other user behavior.

As one example, online services such as advertising, internet search, dating, blogging, social networking, and/or news can be varied in response to the past and/or present behavior of the user, thereby enabling the content to better address the user's personal interests and preferences.

Further, a network of members including service providers, publishers, content providers, and advertisers can be configured to enable sharing of information relating to the behavior of a plurality of users via one or more common protocols.

In this manner, a member of the network may submit user behavior information in a standard form that may be processed and disseminated to one or more members of the network.

The behavior information may include data indicative of content that may be selected by a specific user and/or content that is provided to the specific user.
...
"
another OC there has a good point too ontop of the DPA etc .

"
Contact the police if you're a BT customer

By Anonymous Coward
Posted Wednesday 27th February 2008 15:26 GMT
If BT have been intercepting details of your browsing habits then this may be a violation of RIPA http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/content...tDocId=1757378
In particular sections 1(1) and 2(2):
1. Unlawful interception.
— (1) It shall be an offence for a person intentionally and without lawful authority to intercept, at any place in the United Kingdom, any communication in the course of its transmission by means of—
(a) a public postal service; or
(b) a public telecommunication system.
2. (2) For the purposes of this Act, but subject to the following provisions of this section, a person intercepts a communication in the course of its transmission by means of a telecommunication system if, and only if, he—
(a) so modifies or interferes with the system, or its operation,
(b) so monitors transmissions made by means of the system, or
(c) so monitors transmissions made by wireless telegraphy to or from apparatus comprised in the system,
as to make some or all of the contents of the communication available, while being transmitted, to a person other than the sender or intended recipient of the communication."

[Toto]

Originally Posted by TheBlueRaja

Ouch!

I'll be keeping an eye on that - might be time to move on.

It's not clear in that article if Sky will adopt Phorm, they may well sit back and wait for one of the big players to implement it and guage the responses. I would imagine that they are already seeing the benefits of their migration of their email customers to Gmail, that is bound to bring in a few extra quid per subscriber per month.

[popper]

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/02...d_isp_targets/
"Broadband big boys waiting on data pimping

Smaller ISPs wouldn't touch Phorm with yours

By Chris Williams → More by this author
Published Friday 29th February 2008 09:02 GMT
Download free Lippis Report - Ready to reap the benefits of Unified Communications? Download free whitepaper - The Need for Vulnerability Management
Phorm, the advertising company that wants to pay your ISP to hand over information on which websites you visit, has convinced the UK's three largest providers to trust it, but regulators and the rest of the industry are less impressed.

<Edit Rob: removed - please do not cut and paste large chunks of material that is copyright from other sites>

[none]

I noticed that a few people have suggested using the TrackMeNot Firefox extension. Well here is another that I've recently started using that might be of use to some people.

RefControl
"Control what gets sent as the HTTP Referer on a per-site basis. You create a list of sites, and the referrer that should be sent for each site. You can choose to send that referrer unconditionally or only for third-party requests. Additionally, you can specify the default behavior for any site not in the list."

Basically it stop websites viewing what link you have licked in order to arrive at their page. What this means is that if you should accidentally click on an dam advert, the subsequent product's site will at least not know how you came to be on their page. This makes it really hard for advertisers to collect marketing data to establish how well their campaign(s) are doing.

You can check to make sure that your reffer header is empty by going here for a Anontest test - https://www.jondos.de/en/anontest

[TheBlueRaja]

Originally Posted by ahardie

Interesting also that you have almost blown a gasket when a company you don't subscribe to is going to implement this but when you are shown that SKY is considering it, you just hope it wont happen.

Where did i "blow a gasket"? I simply put Mick and Stuart C right.

Sky are waiting to see what happens and i'll be waiting to see what they do.

VM are far more along the line and should be chastised for what IS going to be "a blatant breach of privacy and akin to building up a personal profile of somebody's interests, hobbies, wealth and habits."

IF Sky go the same way, i'll be just as disappointed.

Run along now.

[popper]

BTW None, i get
Download Error

You do not have the correct permissions to download this file.

when trying to download your template letter to read

---------- Post added at 14:30 ---------- Previous post was at 14:27 ----------

TBR ,did you read that patent URL i posted, that tells you how it works.

i just skiped over it so wont try to disect it, perhaps you can do that for the readers here?

---------- Post added at 14:54 ---------- Previous post was at 14:30 ----------

hmmm...

http://www.phorm.com/about/launch_agreement.php
"Press

14 February 2008

Phorm, Inc. ('Phorm' or 'the Company')

BT PLC, TalkTalk and Virgin Media Inc confirm exclusive agreements with Phorm

Phorm (AIM: PHRM and PHRX), the advertising technology company, today announces exclusive agreements with UK internet service providers (ISPs) BT PLC, TalkTalk and Virgin Media Inc. Phorm's industry leading technology will enable the companies to offer a new online advertising platform, the Open Internet Exchange (OIX), and a free consumer internet feature, Webwise, which ensures fewer irrelevant adverts and additional protection against malicious websites.

OIX will create a new marketplace for online advertising, that is based on internet users' anonymous browsing activity and ensure consumers receive fewer irrelevant ads. It will also revolutionise current standards of online privacy and fully protect the identity of consumers. Phorm's privacy claims have been validated under best industry practices, both through an independent audit conducted by Ernst & Young (View report PDF) and a Privacy Impact Assessment undertaken by experts from Privacy International.

OIX is the first real-time online advertising platform to use fully anonymised ISP data streams. It operates by allowing market participants to define customer advertising "channels" - groupings of users demonstrating interest in specific product and service categories - then uses this information to serve relevant ads based on a user's browsing activity. This benefits advertisers, publishers and consumers alike and introduces a completely new level of effectiveness in online advertising.

The OIX is a marketplace serving campaigns on the most productive inventory for advertisers and helping online publishers increase the value of their websites. Phorm and ISPs will share the incremental revenue created by the efficiency of this new process.

Many leading publishers and advertising agencies have partnered with Phorm for the launch of OIX. They include; FT.com; iVillage; Universal McCann; MGM OMD and Unanimis.
Webwise will be offered free to customers of ISPs partnering with Phorm and will create a safer, more relevant internet. In addition to serving fewer irrelevant ads, Webwise gives greater protection from online fraud by warning users if they inadvertently browse fraudulent websites (sites that obtain sensitive information such as bank details - a practice known as phishing).

Kent Ertugrul, Chairman and Chief Executive of Phorm, said: "We are delighted to unveil OIX. This service will dramatically improve the effectiveness of advertising for online publishers and advertisers. In a world where all websites rely on advertising for their existence this offers the promise of better content for consumers. Meanwhile Webwise, the joint initiative sponsored by our ISP partners, will also benefit consumers by making internet browsing safer as well as more relevant. We are proud to be working with the UK's leading ISPs in this pioneering venture."

Webwise's anti-fraud measures have been welcomed by APACS, the UK payments association, which champions the fight against online banking fraud.
For Phorm Enquiries:
Kent Ertugrul (Chairman & Chief Executive) +44 20 7638 9571
Lynne Millar (Chief Financial Officer)

Citigate Dewe Rogerson +44 20 7638 9571
Simon Rigby
Justin Griffiths

Canaccord Adams Limited +44 20 7050 6500
(Nominated Adviser)
Mark Williams
Andrew Chubb
For ISP Enquiries:
BT
Adam Liversage +44 20 7356 5366

Talk Talk
Mark Schmid +44 20 7282 2834

Virgin Media
James Hill +44 20 7153 1559
About Phorm:
Phorm is an innovative technology company specialising in delivering behaviourally and contextually targeted advertising while preserving users' personal privacy and security.
Phorm's partners include leading Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Publishers, Ad Networks and Advertisers.
Phorm is a Delaware, US incorporated company, with offices in New York and London and Moscow. The Company was admitted to the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange in 2004 and has over 100 employees.
For more information, please visit: www.phorm.com "

---------- Post added at 14:55 ---------- Previous post was at 14:54 ----------

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b961adc0-d...nclick_check=1
Phorm leaps as big ISPs sign on

By Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, Media Editor
Published: February 14 2008 13:43 | Last updated: February 15 2008 03:19

Three of the UK’s largest internet service providers (ISPs) have signed up to a new service that is promising to give them them a cut of the fast-growing online advertising market for the first time.
Phorm, an Aim-listed advertising technology company, has struck agreements with BT, Carphone Warehouse’s TalkTalk broadband business and Virgin Media, which account for about 70 per cent of the UK broadband market, to use its online advertising platform.

Shares in Phorm surged 300p, or 10.3 per cent, to £32.13 on news of the agreements, giving the company a market capitalisation of almost £390m ($768m)
....
“This service will dramatically improve the effectiveness of advertising for online publishers and advertisers,” Mr Ertegrul said. “It is also a revolution in the online privacy debate.”
The group reported no revenues and a £16.3m pre-tax loss in its last interim results as it concentrated all its efforts on signing up ISPs to launch the technology.
...
"

In fairness tbr way i read your posts was more fool us VM customers for being with VM when we could "go to another" which was not a well hidden reference to sky. Now we find out that sky is doing exactly the same thing you have had to alter your position a bit. Fact is this isn't a company specific matter no one comapny is better or worse then any other in this matter they will all do it if it makes them money and they think they can get away with it. Only concern in this for me is anyone is thinking of doing it i don't care about specific company's it's the fact that it is even being considered.