Top 3 ISPs selling browsing data?

[tek-monkey]

Not sure who's heard about this, but BT, Virgin and Talk Talk will be selling peoples web browsing information to a company very recently associated with spyware/malware. Not good, however even worse is that BT seem to have been at it for some time. Just seen reports that it has been happening for about a year, nice one!

Link here: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/02/27/bt_phorm_121media_summer_2007/

If I paid for my service I may care a bit more, as it is they can do what they want about my amputee dwarf pr0n fixation.

 

[db]

the fact they are doing it doesn't surprise me.. the rest of the story, however (flat denials, misinformation, etc.) is shocking..

 

[Wookie]

There was an item about this on the BBC Breakfast this morning. (Who the hell can understand this sort of thing at 6:30am? Good try, BBC, put it on The Six O'Clock News next time.) Apparently it was on C4 news last night.
Has it been on the Today programme yet? I'd *love* to hear John Humphrys sink his teeth into some hapless PR man being paid a fortune to defend the indefensible.

 

[theflamingred]

Madness!

I can only conclude that whilst they were 'experimenting', denials were issued because no one was sure whether this was entirely lawful. Maybe everyone is happy that they are now not in danger of breaking any data protection legislation. I wonder what the MRS think of all this (Marketing Reseach Society - issue ethical codes of collection and distribution of behaviours in the market).

Nothing like this suprises me. Covered issues like this when I was studing for my Chartered Marketing gubbins. This reminds me of loyalty cards. If you're precious about your data or having big brother watch over you and distribute your data, DON't get a Nectar or ClubCard for yer shopping people. They sell it all on to third parties. Lord knows how many people know my employment status, projected earnings and that I have a secret addiction to blueberries.

 

[Wookie]

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/03/17/phorm_fipr_illegal/

For the click-impaired:

"The Foundation for Information Policy Research (FIPR), a leading advisory group on internet issues, has written to the Information Commissioner arguing that Phorm's ad targeting system is illegal.

In an open letter posted to the think tank's website today, the group echoes concerns voiced by London School of Economics professor Peter Sommer that Phorm's planned partnerships with BT, Virgin Media and Carphone Warehouse are illegal und the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA)."

Not to mention the Data Protection Act and the Human Rights Act.

 

[tek-monkey]

I think carphone warehouse are making it opt-in, although I'm not sure of how they will implement it. Most ways talked about involve them still receiving your data but promising not to do anything with it, which is not a great solution. Other ways involving cookies are also bad, as a problem with the PC or a different user could mean you get tracked.