What is being proposed?
BT, Virgin Media and Talk Talk (Carphone Warehouse) are planning to partner with Phorm to intercept, read and analyse nearly everything you do on the internet. Phorm is former internet malware company 121media.
Their aim is to profile you for Phorm's advertising network, enabling participating advertisers to target you more effectively.
This is a new kind of user profiling, since every word of nearly everything you do on the Internet will be intercepted, read and analysed if you are part of the scheme. This includes your communications with websites you visit for any purpose, and will include webmail if you do not use one of the major webmail providers.
In contrast, search engines like Google and shopping websites only gather and use your personal information when you are visiting them. And even the security services have to follow specific procedures if they want to carry out the kinds of interceptions proposed with Phorm.
What has been the reaction?
On 25th February 2008, the UK-based online IT magazine The Register broke the story, and since then public opposition to the proposed scheme has been vigorous.
On 9th April 2008, the UK's Information Commissioner advised that Phorm must be "opt-in" rather than "opt-out". Originally, BT planned to intercept all their users' web communications unless they specifically objected.
But even with the ability not to opt in, many internet-savvy users do not trust ISPs with Phorm equipment to be able to handle their data with integrity, and they plan to leave for Phorm-free ISPs should it go ahead.
What of the Phorm ISPs?
In 2006 and again in 2007, BT intercepted web browsing data from several tens of thousands of their users in trials of the Phorm technology. At no time did they ask any of these users for their consent. In some instances they injected javascript code into transactions. Many believe that BT broke the law with these trials.
BT were proposing a third trial to begin by the end of April 2008, but with public concern mounting, the start date has been moved to the end of May 2008. The need to change BT's original implementation of Phorm from "opt-out" to "opt-in" may also be contributing to delays.
Virgin Media has signed a preliminary agreement with Phorm to understand in more detail how it works but has not yet decided if it will be introduced.
Carphone Warehouse has said that any of its customers who want to use Phorm will have to positively opt-in.
What you can do
If you share our concern about Phorm, here's what you can do.
Sign the 10 Downing Street Anti-Phorm Petition
Serve a Section 11 Data Protection Notice on your ISP
Tell APWG what you think about Phorm's membership
Contact the Association of Police Authorities: About
You can find some sample letters at this link.
. . .and spread the word and ask everyone you know to do the same.