Web Spy Firm Phorm Gets UK Gov’t Blessing

By Michael Learmonth

UK web spy firm Phorm got something that Silicon Valley’s NebuAd couldn’t: That is, government blessing for its plan to track consumer Web surfing through Internet service providers.

MediaPost reports that the UK Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform gave Phorm’s plan to track UK Web users its stamp of approval because they intend to inform users before doing so. “After conducting its inquiries with Phorm, the UK authorities consider that Phorm’s products are capable of

This puts Phorm one-up on NebuAd, which is stuck in limbo after a Congressional inquiry revealed that several ISPs had implemented NebuAd without notifying consumers. Keep in mind no one has said NebuAd broke any laws, but the bad publicity caused ISPs to suspend work with the company until the House Energy and Commerce Committee finishes its investigation.  Read More

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