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Author Topic: UK's three largest ISPs sell users browsing data...  (Read 8890 times)

guest

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UK's three largest ISPs sell users browsing data...
« on: February 25, 2008, 02:06:39 PM »

"BT, Virgin Media and Carphone Warehouse have agreed to feed data on their subscribers' web activities to Phorm. Data will be fed into the Open Internet Exchange, Phorm's advertising network, where advertisers will pay to target interest groups. Frequent visits to the BBC's Top Gear site might result in being served up more car ads, for example.

In exchange, the ISP trio will get a cut of new revenue. Analysts estimate BT's cut will be £85m in 2010."

Full story hot off the press at :

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/02/25/phorm_isp_advertising/
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jazz

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Re: UK's three largest ISPs sell users browsing data...
« Reply #1 on: February 25, 2008, 02:20:25 PM »

I suppose this sort of spying/advertising is inevitable - and will lead to numerous programs being offered to cut out the advertising on your own PC.  I hate the whole business and avoid all kinds of companies because they snoop so much.  However, as the number of snoopers steadily increases it becomes harder and harder to just get on with things without  having to use the services of one Big Brother or another.
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roseway

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Re: UK's three largest ISPs sell users browsing data...
« Reply #2 on: February 25, 2008, 02:21:28 PM »

"We're actually setting a whole new gold standard in online privacy." said a Phorm spokesman. Forgive me if I throw up quietly. :(
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  Eric

kitz

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Re: UK's three largest ISPs sell users browsing data...
« Reply #3 on: February 25, 2008, 03:30:42 PM »

>>> PageSense Javascript can be embedded by a variety of partners, such as Internet Service Providers, serving pages to those connecting to the internet through them.
>>> The difference between 121Media/Phorm and PeopleOnPage is that the newer company buys its targets direct from ISPs, rather than persuading people to download spyware.

Nice :no:
Not what you expect if youre already paying to use a service is it?   To me that equates to the BBC to start dishing out ads when you already pay a license fee.  I have no qualms about the likes of ITV etc showing ads as they have to get funds from somewhere.
I suppose this is a knock-on effect of the "cheap" adsl and therefore the ISPs looking to get revenue from else-where :(
But if that is the case then BTInternet can hardly be classed as one of the cheapies can it  :'(

>> It aims to make its money strictly from legit advertisers and publishers, avoiding the sort of operators that gave pop-up advertising such a bad name in the early noughties.

Yeah - for how long?
/end cynic mode
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mr_chris

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Re: UK's three largest ISPs sell users browsing data...
« Reply #4 on: February 25, 2008, 03:31:35 PM »

"We're actually setting a whole new gold standard in online privacy." said a Phorm spokesman. Forgive me if I throw up quietly. :(

lol - perhaps they forgot to mention the new phrase for 2008 - "Gold is the new Bronze" ;)

One comment on the reg website - targeted advertising could be a bit risky if kids use a computer that's been previously used to surf for pron... at the moment with cookie-based targeted advertising you can get around that quite easily, but not so with this, it would seem...
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Chris

oldfogy

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Re: UK's three largest ISPs sell users browsing data...
« Reply #5 on: February 25, 2008, 07:34:34 PM »


 - targeted advertising could be a bit risky if kids use a computer that's been previously used to surf for pron...

Maybe that might be their downfall when the anti porn campaigners get to grips with it.
(Although not all so called porn is illegal) it's just a name that's banded around for anything that might be even slightly risqué.
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soms

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Re: UK's three largest ISPs sell users browsing data...
« Reply #6 on: February 25, 2008, 10:31:48 PM »

It will be interesting to see how sales of products like Norton Internet Security change in the future given that they often have ad-blocking built in.

I remember when I used to use NIS 2004 it would block ads from sites, download accelerator etc and worked great.

Quote from: kitz
But if that is the case then BTInternet can hardly be classed as one of the cheapies can it

I would like to know if these so called adverts will count towards my 5GB/month usage limit? ISPs do make exclusions, such as FON wireless usage in the case of BT.
« Last Edit: February 25, 2008, 10:38:32 PM by soms »
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mr_chris

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Re: UK's three largest ISPs sell users browsing data...
« Reply #7 on: February 26, 2008, 01:10:55 AM »

Although not all so called porn is illegal

I don't really know much about the legalities, but I don't think a properly run and legitimate adult website is illegal, even if it contains stuff which is rather more than just 'slightly risqué'!

By properly run, I mean as long as there are no copyright issues, or contain images / videos that are illegal in nature.
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Chris

jelv

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Re: UK's three largest ISPs sell users browsing data...
« Reply #8 on: March 01, 2008, 01:04:18 AM »

Also to be affected is if you are on Plusnet's RIN (Central Plus) - login username@plusdsl2.net

I've gone back to the normal gateways as of today!
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mr_chris

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Re: UK's three largest ISPs sell users browsing data...
« Reply #9 on: March 01, 2008, 01:07:02 AM »

Ooh yes... I never even thought of that!

Does Carphone Warehouse include AOL subscribers, most of whom probably aren't even aware that they are now 'owned' (in more than one sense!)?

And would Virgin Media include the NTL datastream wholesale product i.e. Tesco.net, and can't remember but I think there's another one too.
« Last Edit: March 01, 2008, 01:32:15 AM by mr_chris »
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Chris

kitz

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Re: UK's three largest ISPs sell users browsing data...
« Reply #10 on: March 04, 2008, 07:43:18 AM »

>> Does Carphone Warehouse include AOL subscribers,

I should imagine so... since they are all stealthily being moved over to the TT platform.

>> NTL datastream wholesale product i.e. Tesco.net,

Not sure about that one depends on the ISP - NTL will be used as transit for the backhaul rather than "Colossus", and then possibly connecting to the ISPs own edge routers.

Thinking about it - werent the old DSLconnect accounts still handled by the "Redbacks" and then on to PlusNets own network?   
I could be wrong but I seem to recall either "Itchy or Scratchy" still being deployed to handle the dslconnect accounts for a while even after they were retired after the 155/622 BTw Round Robin incompatibility issues.

Therefore I would imagine it will depend on how much TescoNet relies on NTL.  If they as an ISP have their own routers and servers etc then its down to Tesconet.  However, if they use NTL as more than "data carriers" from the exchange, then its very possible.


----------------------

[edited to add]

Just found this.

Quote
Tesco.net partners NTL Business for new ISP launch
• NTL Business seals a major contract to provide total internet service to leading online retailer
• Complete ISP solution encompasses access package, user registration, member services, content management, billing and technical support
• Deal reaffirms NTL Business' position as the UK's leading provider of wholesale internet solutions

Under the deal, NTL Business will provide an end-to-end Virtual ISP (VISP) solution to Tesco's customers under the Tesco.net brand.
NTL Business will deliver and manage subscribers' access to the worldwide web, and will handle user registration, member services, billing and technical support. It will also manage the Tesco.net portal, including providing and managing content and handling media sales.

Therefore in this instance,  it looks like TescoNet would be a yes.
 


« Last Edit: March 04, 2008, 07:57:42 AM by kitz »
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guest

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Re: UK's three largest ISPs sell users browsing data...
« Reply #11 on: March 04, 2008, 09:18:58 PM »

Amusingly :

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/03/04/phorm_ripa/

Amusing because I feel a deal of sympathy for ISPs who (it seems to me) will have to store exactly the same data for later perusal by the govt anyway.

http://www.statewatch.org/eu-data-retention.htm
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setecio

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Re: UK's three largest ISPs sell users browsing data...
« Reply #12 on: March 14, 2008, 11:45:35 AM »

Why don't I get paid for my statistics and information about my surfing habits and the web pages that I visit ... after all I'm the one doing all the work, the clicks, paying for the access etc. ....
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kitz

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Re: UK's three largest ISPs sell users browsing data...
« Reply #13 on: March 14, 2008, 12:44:55 PM »

I notice that at least TT are in part doing "the right thing" by making it opt in.   I still have reservations about what data still goes through where though.
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Grahammm

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Re: UK's three largest ISPs sell users browsing data...
« Reply #14 on: March 23, 2008, 12:33:39 PM »

What about the business ISPs, such as Opal, which are also now owned by Carphone Warehouse? Or are they only introducing phorm on the 'consumer' services?
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