New website to counter smear campaign launched by Phorm

In an effort to combat what it considers a smear campaign by advocates of privacy a new website called StopPhoulplay.com has be launched by Phorm, a company that works with broadband ISPs in the UK like WebWise and BT to controversially monitor the websites that users visit in order to send out targeted advertising.

A recent Press Release from Phorm read “To correct any misconceptions about Phorm’s groundbreaking technology, we are today launching StopPhoulplay.com. Over the last year Phorm and its staff have been the subject of a concerted campaign orchestrated by a small but dedicated band of detractors who appear determined to harm our company, irrespective of the facts, and the potential benefits to UK consumers and websites and advertisers. Their energetic blogging and letter-writing campaigns, targeted at journalists, MPs, EU officials and regulators, distort the truth and misrepresent Phorm’s technology.

Phorm has responded to all of their allegations with accurate information about our technology on user consent, data storage, and anonymity, only to see our detractors systematically propagate stories in direct contradiction to the facts. We have regretfully come to the conclusion that they are not interested in either the answers, or an open and honest debate on the issues.

The StopPhoulplay.com website exposes and rebuts the accusations against Phorm, reveals who is behind the campaign, and sets out the true story, so that the media and consumers can judge the facts for themselves. Phorm is happy to engage with valid and robust criticism, we know there are concerns about internet privacy, and we are happy to speak with regulators, publishers, advertisers, the media and consumers to allay those concerns, and prove we offer a higher level of privacy than current internet standards.”

This latest effort to fight what it considers to be a smear the company has hit back with a smear of its own through this new website, which many believe will do nothing for a company that already has a poor public image.

It is thought by industry experts that this latest retaliation against the privacy advocates is a wasted opportunity for Phorm to provide a site that was more open-access and technical and could have attempted to tackle the legitimate complaints and concerns that a great many people have with this service.