Posted: 07th Mar, 2009 By: MarkJ
The European Commissioner, Viviane Reding, has said that EU concerns over Phorm's controversial ISP based targeted advertising system could soon be resolved via the application of European law:
"
I spoke about [the technology] with Lord Carter [and] I suppose we are going to bring that to a positive conclusion," said Viviane Reding to
ZDNet UK. "
The solution is going to be applied according to European law, with protection of privacy and opt-in. When the trial phase is over and the definite phase begins, the legal problems will be solved."
Unfortunately Reding declined to say precisely what this might involve, nor would she be drawn on
BT's secret 2006/2007 trials of the same technology, which were conducted without customers consent.
EU privacy law is quite strict and so this could spell good news for privacy advocates, although Redings uncharacteristic unwillingness to comment leaves a lingering air of doubt.