Is this PR or HR? Controversial behavioural targeting net Phorm has hired a chief privacy officer. DoubleClick privacy and government affairs VP Jeffrey Brooks will be tasked with ensuring the company’s model is on the right side of the law. The normally vocal Open Rights Group (via NMA) has praised the move. Despite the controversy around Phorm, few but The Register have voiced concrete legal concerns.

The company’s justification effort has now moved to Washington DC, with Phorm amongst 11 industry players to respond to December Federal Trade Commission proposals designed to regulate behavioral ad targeting. Phorm’s defence: “No retention of consumers’ browsing data is required for Phorm’s technology to work effectively.”

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