Don't you like the fact that BT, make out that Phorm is some sort of security service given free to it's loyal customers.

This is a complete whitewash of the service and most average users would not understand the implications of what they are clicking as it's not addressing the issue of having your every move tracked.

This is what is put on the front screen with the acceptance button:


"Protects extra protection from fraudulent websites designed to steal details through "phising" - eg fraudsters impersonating bank sites"

"Reduces the number of irrelevant adverts you see on participating web sites"



not one mention that they want to track your every move this just shows how dirty BT are if they are willing to miss out the most crucial information and masquerade it as a security measure. Would this not fall under ofcom or such like body of false advertising?

Isn't purposely misleading the public, Guilt By Omission

I have already mailed BT and informed them that they can run the trial on my computer. But only if they wish to pay me for my data. I have pointed out that presenting me with the pop up will be deemed as acceptance of my terms.


If they never offer me the pop up then it stands to reason that they must explain how they knew not to present the pop up. Phorm/Webwise is touted as not storing information. The pop up effectively means they have the one vital piece of information they say they do not have.

If you click yes or no on the pop up then they have stored that piece of information. They must have to put you in or out of the trial.

Other ISPs were going to try this on but dropped out due to the negative publicity. It seems to be having an effect on Phorm after all:

"Phorm made a loss of $24.7m (£13.8m) in the first half of 2008 as it fought privacy advocates, lobbied to get politicians on side and tried to overcome technical problems dogging its ISP adware system."

 http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/10/01/phorm_h1_2008/

Don't just say "No thanks", give BT notice to quit and sign up with another provider at the earliest opportunity. They'll drop Phorm too as soon as they realise it'll cost them money.

Just hung up the telephone from the ICO (Information Commissioner's Office), and it appears that the Gov dept, and BT have come to an accord, which entails that BT are under no obligation to actually tell people what the service is really about on the acceptance screen as long as there is a link to the information.

Who, especially the elderly, or not so tech savey, are not going to activate this "service" as BT put it, as it is sold to us all as "New Free Online Protection".

I was advised by the very understanding call staff that i should put a complaint in writing so the matter can be looked into again.

The link to the complaints page is here:  http://www.ico.gov.uk/complaints.aspx

I strongly encourage everyone to submit a complaint, about the BT Webwise page, as it is obviously misleading the public by omitting the crucial privacy implications of this data snooping debacle.

It is not a Protection service Its so BT can make millions from selling your browsing habits.

Even if you do try and opt-out, you can only do so by storing a cookie on your computer that let's BT/Phorm know not to serve you adverts. If you do that, your information will still pass through Phorm's hardware and you only have their word that they won't do anything with it.

So not only do you lose the right to determine what happens on your own computer, you also have to trust a spyware manufacuter (they were previously known as 121Media).

Oh, and if you run a website, your copyrighted work will no be used as a resource for Phorm to profile your visitors and build up marketing information. Even if your visitors agree to Phorm's monitoring, if the website owner doesn't also agree, then they are intercepting private communication.

Fortunately, the City of London Police have managed to find the exemption clause in RIPA which basically says, "none of this applies if you're BT and have a big pile of money."

The Information Commissioners Office (ICO) is watching how this "trial" of Webwise/Phorm is progressing.

If you are concerned about Phorm in relation to the privacy of your data, or any aspect of this "trial", contact:

 lee.taylor@ico.gsi.gov.uk

If you want to let the BT Chief Executive know your displeasure about Phorm spyware:

 ian.livingston@bt.com

use an ISP that does not sign up to phorm!

it aint rocket science!

Try the phone coop

www.thephone.coop

They dont do phorm!

More info here:
 http://www.dephormation.org.uk/