Web creator 'would abandon an ISP that tracked his activity'

18th March 2008

The inventor of the world wide web has claimed he would leave an internet service provider (ISP) if it began tracking his activity on the internet.

Sir Tim Berners-Lee told the BBC that ISPs should not be able to monitor user habits without their consent.

He was speaking as a number of ISPs reveal their intention to use a technology from tracking company Phorm to analyse surfers' routines in order to deliver targeted ads.

"If you want to use [my web history] for something, then you have to negotiate with me. I have to agree, I have to understand what I'm getting in return," said Sir Tim.

Kent Ertugrul, Phorm's chief executive, told the news provider that the technology makes the web more "vibrant and interesting".

Mr Ertugrul said the firm looks forward to explaining the process in more detail to Sir Tim.

In related web technology news, Bill Gates recently told an audience at Northern Virginia Technology Council that TV is to become something "utterly different" as it merges with the internet.