Given that anonymity is *not* guaranteed by this scheme, and that it involves transfer of URLs, keywords, web page content and hence data such as credit card numbers to servers in China (by Phorm, not the ISPs), there may be some resistance to this scheme from the paying customers who get zero benefit but are exposed to huge risk.
I'm a member of the Phorm team so just wanted to clarify a couple of points on your comment – hope that's OK.
Users are anonymous to the system – just represented by an anonymous random number.
No sensitive data like credit card numbers or names are observed by the system – for instance the system ignores all form fields. Nor does Phorm's technology analyse SMTP mail or the content of webmail
sites.
The URL's, keywords and search terms observed are used to draw an advertising conclusion and then that data is deleted in real time before the pages are loaded – so no data is stored by the system.
Phorm can never know who you are or where you've browsed. All that is ever
stored is a random number, advertiser categories eg sport or travel and a
time stamp – and this is kept within the system which is within the ISPs network. So it's not sent anywhere – least not to China – Phorm does not have servers in China.
Meanwhile there are considerable advantages for the user – in better security – anti phishing protection and a better browsing experience through fewer more relevant adverts.
If you do have more questions drop us a line at. Please mail techteam@phorm.com
Given that anonymity is *not* guaranteed by this scheme, and that it involves transfer of URLs, keywords, web page content and hence data such as credit card numbers to servers in China (by Phorm, not the ISPs), there may be some resistance to this scheme from the paying customers who get zero benefit but are exposed to huge risk.
Hi R Barnett,
I'm a member of the Phorm team so just wanted to clarify a couple of points on your comment – hope that's OK.
Users are anonymous to the system – just represented by an anonymous random number.
No sensitive data like credit card numbers or names are observed by the system – for instance the system ignores all form fields. Nor does Phorm's technology analyse SMTP mail or the content of webmail
sites.
The URL's, keywords and search terms observed are used to draw an advertising conclusion and then that data is deleted in real time before the pages are loaded – so no data is stored by the system.
Phorm can never know who you are or where you've browsed. All that is ever
stored is a random number, advertiser categories eg sport or travel and a
time stamp – and this is kept within the system which is within the ISPs network. So it's not sent anywhere – least not to China – Phorm does not have servers in China.
Meanwhile there are considerable advantages for the user – in better security – anti phishing protection and a better browsing experience through fewer more relevant adverts.
If you do have more questions drop us a line at. Please mail techteam@phorm.com
Best wishes
Phorm Techteam
Hi TechTeam,
Could you respond to the accusation that your breaking copyright law?
http://www.badphorm.co.uk/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?1037.0#post_1247
Many thanks.