ISP's analyse your traffic to pimp adverts

[realityhack]

Personally, I'm considering using Tor or some such to maintain my privacy. My browsing habits aren't going to raise any red flags, but I'd rather not be profiled, thanks, with my profile stored and used by A N Other.

If the black helicopter brigade were to be curious about my browsing, for however long the data is stored, then all they need do is ask for the IP associated with the info, or hand them my IP. One step forward to a police state IMO.

[ratewhore]

Personally, I'm considering using Tor or some such to maintain my privacy.

Slow as a slow thing...

[gingerjedi]

Just use opendns.

[basshead]

Just use opendns.

Not enough.

[HRH]

From now on, your ISP will own and sell your click trails, tied into your real ID, your credit card number, your address, postcode and phone number.

They will analyze and profile your surfing habits and sell the results to anyone who will pay.

Your every online thought, wish and expression will be neatly categorized by your ISP and turned into a 'data-mineable' resource for every marketeer who wants to buy in.

The information your ISP has on you, and your surfing habits, is the ultimate marketeer's wet dream.

From here on in, you will have no privacy online.

Get used to it.

Companies have been doing this for year......do you think that Tesco/Sainsburys give you nectar/clubcards to save you money? Of course not its to analyze your spending habits....

[realityhack]

Well, I've just written a letter about this to the Information Commissioner and my local MP. That will be the first time I've done such a thing.

The emphases in comments and on www.badphorm.co.uk are on 'targeted ads', not the potential misuse of your browsing data - in real time. I couldn't give 2 hoots about the ads - it's the prospect of having my every move online captured that I'm a tad annoyed about.

I wonder if this constitutes a breach of contract with my ISP. I'll have to check the T&Cs later on. I'll be an ex-Virgin customer if they adopt this.

[realityhack]

Companies have been doing this for year......do you think that Tesco/Sainsburys give you nectar/clubcards to save you money? Of course not its to analyze your spending habits....

I don't have a supermarket loyalty card for that reason, and I'm not overly troubled by the ads, as explained. It's more the profiling and the potential for misuse that bothers.

Also - it's 'opt in' by default.

[HRH]

I don't have a supermarket loyalty card for that reason, and I'm not overly troubled by the ads, as explained. It's more the profiling and the potential for misuse that bothers.

Also - it's 'opt in' by default.

Yeah you're spot on its totally wrong, my point was that some people are slighly naiive about the way large companies view us and the tactics they employ.