Three biggest UK ISPs to track internet user’s habits

The three most popular ISPs will soon be tracking the surfing habits of their customers, so that advertising companies can focus their advertising.

Online advertising company Phorm has signed a deal with BT, Virgin Media and TalkTalk to track surfing habits of the 10 million UK customers. This information will then be sold to advertisers who can then display adverts they believe are more relevant to you.

The patent pending technology which Phorm has developed monitors the port, or doorway to the internet which people use for non-secure public sites. It records these in a cookie file, which is built up for every site you visit.

This has led to an uneasy reaction, particularly as Phorm has form for dodgy data tracking. The company, who used to be known as 121Media before changing their name to Phorm, released a piece of adware which was classed as spyware by F-Secure.

You are being watched. Are your movements being tracked by your ISP?

While the issue of privacy rages on the internet, is this something to be worried about? A statement on Phorm’s web site defends its privacy record:

“Our technology doesn't store any personally identifiable information or IP addresses and we don't retain information on user browsing behaviour. So we never know and can't record - who's browsing, or where they've browsed.”

The matter of privacy and advertising is a complex issue. Web sites routinely track your behaviour without you knowing, in the form of cookies. If this kind of technology is as private as Phorm claim, then this marks a step forward in the world of online privacy.

The real question is about the role of the ISP. Should this be an opt-in not an opt-out service, and should ISPs be cashing in on our activities, when the customers get nothing in return?