phorm

EC acts against Britain over data protection

The European Commission has launched infringement proceedings against the UK, claiming the country is not sufficiently complying with European data-protection laws.

The action was initiated on Tuesday, following complaints over BT's trials--carried out in 2006 and 2007 without user consent--of technology from the behavioral advertising company Phorm. The technology allows an Internet service provider such as BT to monitor its customers' surfing habits, so that it can deliver targeted advertising to each user.

In June, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), which has responsibility for enforcing UK data-protection laws, said it would not launch an investigation into the BT trials. … Read more

BT to begin third Phorm trial

BT is to perform another trial of Phorm's ad-serving technology, after delays of more than half a year.

Phorm's technology, which BT will use under the brand of "Webwise," has attracted protests from peers, politicians, technologists and think tanks, who have expressed concerns over legal and privacy issues. The technology is also the subject of a probe by the European Commission.

Phorm's ad-serving technology works by assigning a user a unique identifier, through which the user's browsing habits are observed so as to target advertisements at them.

BT will commence the third trial of … Read more

Buzz Out Loud 740: iTunes bombing

How to get to the top of the iTunes podcast list--we think. We'll let you know Monday. Also, breaking news! Amazon goes down midshow! Was it something we said? In other news, we attempt to solve issues of global hypercapitalism, the growth imperative, and their inevitable consumer-unfriendly consequences. Plus, we find out why you have to go through voicemail hell when you call customer support, and the answer makes us lose our ever-loving minds. Listen now: Download today's podcast Episode 740

ISP secretly added spy code To Web sessions, crashing browsers http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/06/isp-spying-made.html … Read more

Random auto-browser keeps Web trackers at bay

I can't say for certain that ISPs, online advertising networks, and other big Web companies are already tracking our Web use and sending us ads and other information based on conclusions they draw from our unique browsing history.

But it wouldn't surprise me one bit if they were. And if they aren't already, I know it's only a matter of time.

Web sites have been using persistent cookies to remember you from session to session for a long time. Usually, sites know only the site you arrived from and the site you go to when you … Read more