City of London police close BT Phorm trial files

The City of London police have decided not to take any further action against BT for trialling Phorm without users' consent.

However, it seems to me that the police misunderstand Phorm.

"They said that there was no criminal intent on behalf of BT and that there was implied consent because the service was going to benefit customers," said Alex Hanff, one of the chief campaigners in the case.

Targeting advertising doesn't benefit users. It benefits advertisers. I don't care what ads flash up on web pages, I try and ignore them.

This might not be over though.

Stephen Mainwaring, one of the BT customers affected by the trials, said he was disappointed police have decided not to pursue the case.

"I was pretty disgusted when I found out about the trial," he told the BBC.

"I actually spotted something was going on on my PC but BT said that I must have a virus. I am pretty angry about how I was treated," he said.

He has since been offered a goodwill payment from BT and thinks other users may also have a case for compensation.