Just a bit of an update with things happening with regards to online regulation and protection. Further to the posts I’ve written about whether social media networks need regulation there have been some additional moves made by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) who govern the age ratings for video content and video games.

It seems the BBFC are to introduce age ratings for downloaded content and games - obviously this is voluntary as the anonymity of the Internet means it’s virtual impossible to uphold. However as I’ve mentioned before parents must take more responsibility for this and at least the tools for them to use to do so are becoming ever more available. If parents’ methods of protecting their children is made as easy as possible you are only going to see them being increasingly adopted.

In addition there is an interesting post about the issue of informed consent posted by dot life. It correctly states that the current situation is a bit of a farce - since when do people read terms and conditions online? However a working group has been appointed to come up with recommendations by the end of the year. Hopefully with several country’s Information Commissioners and firms like Microsoft and Facebook involved there might be interesting results. Perhaps recommendations for online privacy best practices for online companies to aspire too?

After all the toing and froing with Phorm and various opponents including the ICO it seems another solution is being made available to Internet users and it’s free!

Rather than blocking the Phorm cookie required by the service or even opting out it takes it to the next level of actually providing Phorm with completely erroronous data. Called AntiPhorm this software runs in the background and simulates natural web surfing activity but of course this isn’t want Phorm wants as it’s effectively feeding random data into their system!

So if Phorm decide to continue with their current opt out stance enough people installing this simple piece of software will be a decent spanner in their works. 

If Phorm is listening sort yourself out and change over to opt in - people are only going to resent, sue or try and sabotage your attempts. You might even be surprised how many people sign up for Phorm if it really provides such well targetted adverts as you claim.

Social media websites have been in the news a lot, mainly with regard to how people’s privacy is compromised when they sign up to one. However the big sites, although slow off the mark, do seem to have realised that their future depends on getting people’s trust with regards to holding their data.

Both MySpace and Facebook have agreed to over 40 steps to protect users. What these steps are I haven’t been able to find out and therefore can’t comment on whether I think they are likely to make any real difference (if anyone has any more details give me a shout).

Google of course has been trying to get onto the social media bandwagon with OpenSocial and recently announced another initiative called Friend Connect which looks to allow people link up all their social media applications online.

Sounds great! But this of course is assuming all the data is held is way that protects to user. Google to be honest seems to have a good record for this kind of thing which is why I was very surprised to hear that Facebook had started to block Friend Connect. It would seem Facebook aren’t entirely happy with the amount of user data available to application developers which therefore breaks their own terms and conditions.

I’m very impressed with Facebook as this shows the kind of attitude needed to protect people online. This stance could be seen by some as negative as it’s inhibiting the free transfer of information in the social universe but clearly the technology is not mature enough to be main stream in my opinion.

Google won’t stand still on this of course and I’m sure the issues will be addressed and Facebook will come back on board but good on Facebook for taking this stance. More of the same and privacy issues might not be such a thorn in the side of social media.

I must say I’m shocked at the swiftness that the Information Commissioners Office (ICO)has responded to the Phorm system. The ICO has warned Phorm that the system must be opt in - something that a lot of people have been screaming for ages.

I’m a little worried about Phorm’s response which doesn’t recognise anything the ICO has said about being an opt in service - lets hope it’s just saving face rather than thinking of trying to run with it anyway.

There are still questions regarding data interception but I’m sure the pressure will be kept up and matters resolved. We might actually see a system that could be successful but go about getting the information the correct and ethical way.

Full ICO Phorm statement.