Top barrister aims to take BT to court over Phorm trials

According to a report by reputable news site The Register, The Crown Prosecution Service has revealed it’s working with a top barrister to creative a criminal case against BT over its use of the ad-targeting system, Phorm.

The trials took place a couple of years ago now, but, it’s still proving an unpopular move. Unfortunately, the provider chose to carry out trials of the system covertly, profiling the web browsing habits of tens of thousands of customers without permission.

Now, the CPS has revealed to campaigners it is investigating the incident: “The Crown Prosecution Service is working hard to review the evidence in this legally and factually complex matter,” said a CPS spokeswoman. “We have requested and received technical and expert evidence, some of which we have only recently received, and which is being very carefully considered.”

Keir Starmer, the director of public prosecutions will have the final say on whether there are grounds to take the internet service provider to court.

According to evidence collected by campaigners BT secretly monitored 18,000 broadband lines during 2006 without customers’ knowledge or consent. However, following public outcry it dropped plans to use Phorm’s system further.

It’s not only BT that remains under threat of criminal prosecution as a result of the trials. Last week it was revealed the UK government could also be sued by the European Commission for its lack of action against the trials.

To read up on archived Phorm news and learn more about the details surrounding this case click here.