The European Commission has sent a message to the British government, and it reads something like this: "If you don't deal with Phorm, we will."
Earlier this month, according to
Dow Jones, the European Union commissioner for information society and media sent a "pre-warning letter" to UK authorities, voicing her concern over Phorm, the behavioral ad targeter poised to track user activity on Britain's three largest ISPs: BT, Carphone Warehouse, and Virgin Media.
BT has already conducted two trials with Phorm - and web surfers were not notified.
"It is very clear in E.U. directives that unless someone specifically gives authorization (to track consumer activity on the Web) then you don't have the right to do that," EU commissioner Viviane Reding said. If UK government does not deal with the issue,
Dow Jones says, the EC could take action in the European Court of Justice.
Linky:
EU tells UK to deal with Phorm - or else | The Register
The EU being useful? I never thought I'd see the day!!
H.