Source: Xinhua

04-15-2009 08:23

BRUSSELS, April 14 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission has opened a law infringement proceeding against Britain after receiving a series of complaints by British Internet users about a behavioral advertising technology known as "Phorm," the commission said on Tuesday.

The proceeding addresses several problems with Britain's implementation of European Union (EU) "e Privacy" and personal data protection rules, under which EU countries must ensure the confidentiality of communications by prohibiting interception and surveillance without the user's consent.

"Technologies like Internet behavioral advertising can be useful for businesses and consumers but they must be used in a way that complies with EU rules," EU Telecoms commissioner, Viviane Reding, said.

She said the commission, the executive body of the EU, has been following the Phorm case for some time and has concluded that British authorities have not properly implemented EU rules on the confidentiality of communications.

She called on the British authorities to change their national laws and ensure that authorities are duly empowered and have proper sanctions at their disposal to enforce EU legislation on the confidentiality of communications.

Since April 2008, the commission has received several questions from British citizens and British members of the European Parliament concerned about the use of Phorm by Internet service providers in Britain.

Phorm technology works by constantly analyzing customers' web surfing to determine users' interests and then deliver targeted advertising to users when they visit certain websites.