EU will monitor Virgin Media’s traffic ID software

The European Commission has confirmed it will be monitoring internet service provider Virgin Media after a privacy group expressed concern over the supplier’s plans to trace customers’ download activity.

In fairness to Virgin Media it hasn’t made a secret of the fact it’s working with Detica to implement its CView technology to analyse the type of traffic 40 per cent of customer broadband connections are used for.

With this CView technology in tow, information intelligence company Detica explains the system will be able to identify whether downloads are innocent email attachments, photographs or films and music. It will also be able to pinpoint the artist and title tracks of music downloads.

In defence of the software, Emma Hutchinson, spokesman for The Guardian, told The Guardian the technology does not break the law: “CView works at a core-network level, and simply analyses entirely anonymously, the percentage of data that flows across the network that is copyrighted and being shared unlawfully.” She continued: “At no point will we collect or share customer data as part of this trial.”

In separate Virgin Media news, the provider has just confirmed the imminent launch of a new wireless router.

Available from 2 February 2010, the ‘N’ wireless router will be distributed to customers signing up to its L, XL and XXL broadband packages.

For more information on Virgin Media’s broadband packages and to read customer reviews on the service visit Broadband Genie’s provider reviews section.