BT looks set to roll out the controversial targeted advertising system Phorm across its network before the end of the year, according to Phorm's chief executive.
Phorm's system tracks users' online surfing habits and then delivers relevant adverts - a practice that's raised a number of concerns from privacy campaigners. However, Phorm claims its 'anonymises' the information about web users so they are impossible to identify.
The ISP trialled the service from September to December, with 10,000 BT customers given the option to take part.
Kent Ertugurl told the Dow Jones newswire: "We're not able to comment on specific timings but our work with BT is the most advanced. It'll most definitely be online by the end of the year".
However, BT said it hasn't identified the exact timeframe for rolling out the scheme and is still evaluating the outcome of the trial.
The trial held last year was the not the first to be undertaken by BT. The ISP came under fire after it was revealed in April that it had held secret trials of the service, tracking more than 30,000 users in two separate tests that took place in 2006 and 2007.
Comments
moggy5 said: This damn Phorm crap is the last strawYou get adverts on TV every 10 minsAdverts on the radioAdverts poked through your doorMagazines and papers filled with advertsAdverts in the moviesAdverts on the buses and trainsAdverts under windscreen wipersmorons phoning you at home and work with advertsAdverts on the roadside and litter binsidiots knocking on your door with advertswell I am getting scared to put my arse out the door in case someone staples an advert to itTHIS IS THE LAST STRAW DUMP BT ASAP
MALA said: I WAS CONSIDERING GOING BACK TO BT FOR ISP SERVICES BUT WITH THEM ACTING EXACTLY AS OUR BANKING SYSTEM DID I THINK EVERYONE SHOULD ABANDON THEIR SERVICE AND LET THE THE LOSS OF CUSTOMERS BRING BT TO THEIR SENSES OR LET IT GO TO THE WALL WITHOUT PUBLIC MONEY BALE-OUT
Rob UK said: Why is anyone still with BTThey are just greedy more interested in profit than investing in a better serviceWill BT be using Phorm to spy on all people who use a BT line to access the internet or just BT customers
imgoneifithappens said: Well if this is introduced i WILL be leaving and i have been with BT since activated in my area i dont want it and BT should listen to their customers I wont believe them if they tell me that most of their customers have agreed its rubbish
moggy5 said: Wel thats just in time for my contract to run out with BTI will be moving away from the biggest rip-off company since the governmenthave you heard the latest They want us to volunteer to open our wifi and BT will charge people to log on to your home wifiOf course they assure us that it will not slow down our miserable 2mbs connectionYEAH RIGHTgt
MalcolmF said: If the data is allegedly annonymised how the heck does the appropriate advert get directed back to you Methinks someone is telling porkies for profit and more profit Knowing some of the history of Phorm and having had plenty of experience of BT I am saddened but not not in the least surprided