Turns Out BT's Phorm Tracking Tests Were More Extensive Than Previously Reported

from the transparency? dept

Last month, we noted that BT had secretly tested Phorm's tracking system without telling customers in the summer of 2007. This gave users no way to opt-out as they had no idea their surfing was being tracked. However, now it's being reported that BT's tests were even more extensive than originally reported, and the two companies secretly tracked the internet usage of 18,000 customers back in 2006, before Phorm was even called Phorm. That's back when Phorm was known as 121 Media and considered by many to be in the sneaky adware business. In fact, the BT internal report on the test noted that: "121Media [Phorm] will take action (both technical and public relations) to avoid any perception that their system is a virus, malware or spyware and to show that in effect it is a positive web development." Perhaps that explains Phorm's recent charm offensive. It's part of it's deal with BT.
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Filed Under: clickstream treacking, isps, uk
Companies: bt, phorm


Reader Comments

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  • icon
    Killer_Tofu (profile), 1 Apr 2008 @ 4:13pm

    In the words of Ace Venture

    "Meeting with sinister types much?
    Not too much.
    Much too much."

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Bender, 1 Apr 2008 @ 6:21pm

    Phorm, BT and the rest can kiss my shiney metal ass.

    Seriously, I hope someone is talking to the equivalent of the AG in the UK about this. I don't know how their courts are run other than they wear silly wigs.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Mickey Mouse, 3 Apr 2008 @ 6:41am

    BT Bull

    And BT have just discovered tracking cookies to enable possible advertising benefits.

    YEAH! ok Einstein.

    link to this | view in chronology ]


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