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Phorm: Does its stroppy campaign site signal the beginning of the end?

(Guardian) - Phorm has, to its credit, always tried to engage with public discussion and concern about its ad-targeting service - but its latest move might have gone a little too far.

The ‘StopPhoulPlay‘ website manages to be both rather aggressive and defensive in setting out its side side of the debate, picking out individual campaigners and publications as “the main characters in the anti-Phorm campaign” including the Open Rights Group and activist consumer Marcus Williamson.

It appears to be in direct retaliation against consumer-led sites like BadPhorm. But it really does look incredibly unprofessional.The site has also referenced Privacy International head Simon Davies in its introduction, which is a whole other can of worms.

“Over the last year Phorm has been the subject of a smear campaign orchestrated by a small but dedicated band of online ‘privacy pirates’ who appear very determined to harm our company,” explains the site.

“Their energetic blogging and letter-writing campaigns, targeted at journalists, MPs, EU officials and regulators, distort the truth and misrepresent Phorm’s technology. We have decided to expose the smears and set out the true story, so that you can judge the facts for yourself.”

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