Cable Forum - View Single Post - Virgin Media Phorm Webwise Adverts [Updated: See Post No. 1, 77, 102 & 797]

OF1975 · 21-03-2008, 16:39

Ok here is the letter I have sent to all my MEPs:
Dear

I write to you today to draw your attention to a disturbing deal that has been done here in the UK between BT, Talk Talk and Virgin Media and an ex-spyware company called Phorm. This company (in its previous incarnation as 121 media) wrote a piece of spyware called People On Page which used rootkit technology to hide itself and make it incredibly difficult to uninstall. Recently Phorm has struck a deal with the 3 Internet Providers which means that it intends to place servers within these broadband providers network that will monitor users online actions in order to target adverts at said users.

Put simply, this is the online equivalent of the Post Office opening all your letters, reading them, then building a profile from what you wrote in order to send you better targetted junk mail.

In my opinion this deal poses a huge threat to online privacy and may very well be illegal under the Regulation of Investagatory Powers Act 2000. The Foundation for Information Policy Research recently wrote an open letter to the Information Commissioners Office arguing the Phorm system violates RIPA. Questions also remain as to whether this technology contravenes European legislation on privacy. So far over 8000 people have signed an online petition calling for the UK Prime Minister to investigate Phorms technology.

Useful information regarding the Phorm technology and its privacy and legal implications may be found by following these links:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/03/04/phorm_ripa/
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/03..._fipr_illegal/

The relevant petition can be found at this link:

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/ispphorm/

I would be grateful if you would take the time to look into this matter further and raise concerns with the relevant ministers of state and also in the European Parliament.

Hope you have a happy Easter.

Yours sincerely,
Edit: I used the writetothem website in order to do the letters. Its quick and efficient and saves time finding names and postal addresses.

21-03-2008, 16:39	#1600
OF1975 Inactive Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Stazi Republic of Phormistan Posts: 329	Re: Virgin Media Phorm Webwise Adverts [Updated: See Post No. 1, 77, 102 & 797] Ok here is the letter I have sent to all my MEPs: Dear I write to you today to draw your attention to a disturbing deal that has been done here in the UK between BT, Talk Talk and Virgin Media and an ex-spyware company called Phorm. This company (in its previous incarnation as 121 media) wrote a piece of spyware called People On Page which used rootkit technology to hide itself and make it incredibly difficult to uninstall. Recently Phorm has struck a deal with the 3 Internet Providers which means that it intends to place servers within these broadband providers network that will monitor users online actions in order to target adverts at said users. Put simply, this is the online equivalent of the Post Office opening all your letters, reading them, then building a profile from what you wrote in order to send you better targetted junk mail. In my opinion this deal poses a huge threat to online privacy and may very well be illegal under the Regulation of Investagatory Powers Act 2000. The Foundation for Information Policy Research recently wrote an open letter to the Information Commissioners Office arguing the Phorm system violates RIPA. Questions also remain as to whether this technology contravenes European legislation on privacy. So far over 8000 people have signed an online petition calling for the UK Prime Minister to investigate Phorms technology. Useful information regarding the Phorm technology and its privacy and legal implications may be found by following these links: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/03/04/phorm_ripa/ http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/03..._fipr_illegal/ The relevant petition can be found at this link: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/ispphorm/ I would be grateful if you would take the time to look into this matter further and raise concerns with the relevant ministers of state and also in the European Parliament. Hope you have a happy Easter. Yours sincerely, Edit: I used the writetothem website in order to do the letters. Its quick and efficient and saves time finding names and postal addresses.