were in discussions with PHORM to implement a Deep Packet Inspection system on your internet connection to profile your browsing habits. This system must be stopped. If it is deployed everything you do on the net will be monitored to provide your ISP and its partners with data for targetted advertising.
In 2006 and 2007 BT conducted two illegal trials of this system intercepting the web connections of its unsuspecting and more importantly uninformed customers. Following a public outcry when the deception was discovered BT were forced to admit the trials had taken place.
In the beginning the government rallied to the aid of BT and Phorm and acted as an unpaid PR consultant for the project,but after a barrage of requests under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 the government were put in the position of trying to defend the undefendable and backtracked on their support for both BT and Phorm. In an attempt to distance themselves from the debacle they denied any knowledge of what had transpired only to be confronted with the truth by Baroness Miller of Chilthorne in the House of Lords who produced the damning evidence when she referred to a series of communcations which had taken place between the Home Office and Phorm, copies of which had been obtained under the FOI Act and sent to her.The refusal by any legal authority to pursue BT for this illegal act resulted in the CPS being asked to pursue a private prosecution. Twelve months later there has been no movement by the CPS and no information on the state of their investigation has been forthcoming. BT trialled the system again in 2008 ,this time informing their customers but the results of this trial were never published. Although the system was only supposed to intercept BT's customers reports surfaced that Plusnet customers had also been affected. BT have since put the system on hold citing other priorities exist before they return to Phorm. Activists regard this as an excuse stating that Phorm could not be made work in real time,substantially slowing down users connections,or in a completely legal manner regarding copyright and interception issues.
Phorm have stated that their system has been declared 'compliant' to the law by various government departments. I have contacted the Home Office, BERR, the ICO, OFCOM and UKIPO the office responsible for copyright issues. In replies to Freedom of Information requests NONE of the above departments have confirmed the statement made by Phorm
Following the uproar caused by public anger at the illegal trials the European Commission became involved and called on the British government to explain why they had failed in their duty to enforce European Directives on privacy. This action could result in the UK being taken to the European Court if their answers do not satisfy the Commission.
Action now pending in the European Court of Justice for this FAILURE
With thanks to Tarka and Madslug of Nodpi.org, Pingus