The European Commission (EC) is to cast a suspicious eye over controversial trials of Detica's new Deep Packet Inspect (DPI) technology (CView) by broadband Cable Modem ISP Virgin Media UK (original news). The system will effectively inspect a customer’s private online activity, apparently without their prior consent, so as to measure the level of copyright infringement (illegal file sharing) on VM's network.


Detica insists CView will protect privacy and is powered by a fully automated, closed system that does not identify individuals or store their data. Virgin Media also believes there are exceptions in the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) for use of DPI in network management purposes, though not everybody agrees with that (here).

Deep Packet Inspect (DPI) technology was made infamous in the UK by Phorm during 2008, which controversially works worked with UK broadband ISPs (e.g. BT WebWise) to monitor what websites you visit for use in targeted advertising campaigns. The system first hit the headlines in 2008 after it emerged that BT had run secret trials of the technology during 2006 and 2007, which took place without customer consent and was likened by some to spyware.

Suffice to say that a major privacy campaign followed and eventually caused supporting ISPs like BT , Virgin Media and TalkTalk to shelve adoption plans during the middle of last year. Since then DPI has remained a hot topic and its use is highly questioned by privacy campaigners.

By contrast CView does not plan to use its data in targeted third party advertising campaigns and is instead being touted by Ofcom (here) as a possible tool for recording the level of software, film and music piracy on a broadband ISPs network. The BPI, UKMusic and Performing Rights Society (PRS) have all met with Detica too and appear equally interested in its applications.

However the fact that there appears to be some degree of official government support behind CView does not mean it will go un-criticised. DPI is no less controversial now than it was last year and any assurances to the contrary by either Virgin Media or Detica are unlikely to change that.