EU Investigates Phorm's UK ISP Advertising System

MJackson writes "The European Commission has opened an infringement proceeding against the UK after a series of complaints by Internet users, and extensive communication with UK authorities, about the use of Phorm's behavioural advertising system, which uses Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) technology, by internet service providers. Phorm works with UK ISPs to monitor what websites you visit for use in targeted advertising campaigns, though its methods have raised more than a few fears about invasions of privacy. Similar services in the USA have caused an equal level of controversy."

Comments

Re:Google

[oobayly]

Ah, the most common argument for Phorm.
Difference is that you can chose not to use Google. If your ISP decides to do this you'll be opted in by default, and every time you delete your cookies, you'll be opted in again. We're not even sure that by opting out makes your traffic bypass Phorm's servers.

What's even worse is that the tax payer will pay the fine, not BT & Phorm. As usual the Criminal Protection Service, ahem Crown Prosecution Service has fucked the general public in favour of keeping Ministers friends on-side.

Sad this is that Brussels is better at looking out for us than Westminster.

Re:Google

[AmiMoJo]

Someone should go to jail for this, but no-one will.

Someone should go to jail over the guy being shoved, beaten and eventually dying near the G20 protests, but no-one will.

Someone should go to jail over the Jean Charles De Menezes murder, but no-one will.

Someone should go to jail over the various rail crashes due to poor maintenance or negligence, but no-one will.

Someone should go to jail over the war started on the basis of a dossier compiled from plagiarised articles on the internet, but no-one will.

The list goes on, but somehow no-one in a position of responsibility is ever responsible.