Yes - 9 forums.

In reply to a post by TinyMongomery:

Yes - 9 forums.

There are legitimate reasons for providing an email address for using a forum, seeing as content is created and notified for, rather than just consumed.

But, as I said, you might just want to browse the forums.

The BQM also requires you to log in.

You could just as well argue that there are valid reasons for the BBC to ask for a postcode - to ensure that you are entitled to access their content. Of course email addresses and postcodes can both be phony.

Edited by TinyMongomery (Thu 07-Aug-25 18:09:23)

In reply to a post by TinyMongomery:

But, as I said, you might just want to browse the forums.

Maybe, but it's not really TBB content, more user generated content, and perhaps the forum owners see value in restricting some areas from web crawlers, for instance.

In reply to a post by TinyMongomery:

The BQM also requires you to log in.

Which goes well beyond just consuming content.

I agree 100% that there are good reasons to request an email address.

Just as the BBC have very good reasons for requesting a postcode.

I just don’t see why the former is OK but not the latter.

In reply to a post by TinyMongomery:

I just don’t see why the former is OK but not the latter.

Because watching videos is not analogous with web forums and ping monitoring tools.

In reply to a post by TinyMongomery:

You might like to consider that the BBC also have valid reasons for knowing the postcodes of its viewers. Perhaps they want to know what programmes interest which people are in different regions so that they can tailor their services accordingly? https://www.bbc.co.uk/usingthebbc/account/why-do-i-h...

Regions wouldn't need the full postcode.. They could ask for the first bit.. this is one of the reasons we don't ask for house numbers on speed tests - we don't track speeds down to houses but to postcodes hence why we ask for that. In the end they can indeed ask for this but they REQUIRE it... we don't.. we give you the option and we limit it. Requiring data can result in people giving you bad data. In the end we provide data on broadband to everyone on the site..

In reply to a post by TinyMongomery:

I have never, ever received marketing material from the BBC.

TV Licensing letters are marketing material

In reply to a post by TinyMongomery:

I notice that you require an email address when someone creates an account with you. Why? That is arguably more intrusive than a postcode, which covers several households.

This is quite normal for accounts on just about any site. We're perfectly happy for you to use a specific thinkbroadband@yourdomain type e-mail address if you prefer (or an icloud unique one which doesn't identify you).. We don't always stop the 'throw-away' e-mails but they are more likely to be banned because bad guys abuse them for spamming, etc.. One off e-mails aren't fake per se and not a problem.

BBC require you to register for iplayer.. We don't require you to register to do a speed test.. we do for BQM as we need to only allow the right person to edit it and view it. Also when we get complaints about pinging someone we need to contact whoever created the monitor. Speed test is a one off thing so hence it's only needed if you want to track performance over time.

And unlike any utility companies/banks who sell the e-mail addresses for age verification providers - we don't.. We don't even target marketing on any other channel so we don't do facebook ads, etc.

In reply to a post by TinyMongomery:

(Note. I've no objection to either - just to the hypocrisy of criticising the BBC for something that one does oneself. But then, the BBC is a favourite target nowadays.)

I like the BBC and I'm licensed (mainly as I use iPlayer occasonally). I don't object to them in fact I like their content. I don't like how TV licensing letters are both incorrect and become increasingly abusive. I don't condone anyone not being licensed when they should be.. but they shouldn't be hounding people just because they don't have a license, with letters that make dubious claims.


seb

In reply to a post by Seansmit17:

I can tell you they know somehow.

If I log into BBC iPlayer I get an email complaining that I watched stuff with no licence. I didn't watch I just logged in but whatever!

So here's the thing.. I don't have a TV license in my name (it's not per person but per household) so I'm not sure they could map it to the e-mail address I have given them.
I do think they can do things to map.. maybe they can use credit records to map last names to houses and postcodes.. I don't know.

In reply to a post by TinyMongomery:

I agree 100% that there are good reasons to request an email address.

Just as the BBC have very good reasons for requesting a postcode.

I just don’t see why the former is OK but not the latter.

It would make more sense for them to request full address to do compliance check actually if that's their main aim...

In reply to a post by Seansmit17:

I can tell you they know somehow.

If I log into BBC iPlayer I get an email complaining that I watched stuff with no licence. I didn't watch I just logged in but whatever!

Did you tell register with the TVL that you don't need a licence? If you have, did you use the same email to register for the BBC account? If so, then that is the reason why.
There is no other way. They can't link all email addresses used to register for their account as not having a licence, as some people buy their licence from a post office still, so have no need to use their email to buy one.