EU questions UK on ISP spyware
Phorm factor
OUR FAVOURITE POLITICIAN Viviane Reding is making herself unpopular in the hallowed halls of Westminster once again.
The tech crusader who famously forced greedy mobile telcos to cut extortionate data roaming charges, has given the UK Government until next month to fess up about the use of Phorm, a sneaky bit of spyware which tracks internet usage under the guise of an advertising targeting system.
Three UK ISPs have admitted to using the system without alerting Web Wibblers to the fact that they are being watched from afar. And it is the legality of this non-disclosure which is being brought into question.
BT is planning to begin a large-scale trial of the service soon, but revelations that a smaller experiment has already been conducted without the consent of subscribers has led to calls for the telco giant to be prosecuted.
A letter from Mrs Reding, the contents of which have not been disclosed, is reported by the BBC to demand that ministers clarify whether the use of Phorm contravenes European data laws.
A petition on the Downing Street Website has attracted 16,000 signatures demanding that the system be outlawed.
The City of London Police are currently conducting their own investigation into Phorm, following complaints against BT.
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