European Commission set to defend Internet privacy

The European Commission has today joined the debate between Internet users, ISPs and online advertising companies. In a blunt message to the Internet industry Meglena Kuneva, the Consumer Affairs Commissioner, warned ISPs, major websites and advertising firms that they are violating “basic consumer rights in terms of transparency, control and risk.” The European Commission has threatened the introduction of a strict regulatory environment if the subject of Internet user privacy is not cleared up in the short-term.

SamKnows covered the subject of behavioural targeting yesterday although this is something which looks set to drag on for some time yet. Besides the fact that the European Commission has serious doubts about the validity of behavioural-targeted advertising, it has also expressed surprise about the stance taken by the UK Information Commissioner’s Office.

There is concern that the Information Commissioner failed to clamp down on an unauthorised trial of the Phorm system by BT during 2006 and 2007 – where a selection of Internet user profiles were created without the knowledge of those involved. The key to the behavioural advertising argument is whether, as suggested by the industry, all information is anonymous and no user can be identified, or the “random token” used to identify each user in the Phorm system does in fact pose a risk to privacy.

Source : The Register

Tags: European Commission, Internet privacy, online advertising, Phorm