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The UK Government Gives Phorm the OK
By John F | September 18, 2008
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So Phorm will be embraced by all citizens of the United Kingdom. All hail Phorm! In its infinite wisdom the UK government has given Phorm the go ahead to pester advertise to consumers who have the unfortunate predicament to have Internet access provided by Virgin Media, BT and Talk Talk.
More ISP’s will now start seriously thinking about signing up Phorm as it’s status and standing has a much firmer foothold. Phorm will start slowly and surely starting to ramp up its activity.
On the one hand it’s a business and it does have every right to establish itself and move onwards and try and make a success in the field it has chosen to follow. However the statement that has been released does not answer the questions raised about Phorm’s underhand and possibly two illegal trials that it conducted with BT.
The UK government have basically said, Phorm’s ok and they will now conform [Con-Phorm?] in a lawful, appropriate and transparent fashion. Well hallelujah! But what about when they didn’t conform in a in a lawful, appropriate and transparent fashion?
As usual big business can get away with bending and allegedly [I love that word, it's a good disclaimer] breaking the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) and still get a thumbs up from the good old UK Government.
One silver lining it seems is that once Phorm is launched it will have to be an opt in process and your ISP will have to inform you that Phorm is being used and that you are free to sign up or not as you please. Small mercies indeed.
Topics: Computer Privacy Usefulness |