iPlayer/email address

castle96

A friend 'boasts'.. "no TV licence but I enter my correct email address and watch". 
Q. Can they trace him through his email address (how)
Q. What does his correct email matter???

flaneurs_lobster

Don't think you can be "traced" through your email address other than when a court order is executed and even then it would be difficult.

The email address is used for marketing BBC product and to set up an account to personalise the iPlayer experience (resume playing at same place, favourites etc).

Saying that, don't think it would be sensible to use the same email address to log in to iPlayer and to fill in the "I don't need a TV licence" declaration.

castle96

so he should just use any old email address? He would still get iplayer? the two are not 'connected'?

flaneurs_lobster

You could use any email address that is active and can reply to the verification request. There are browser extensions that provide one-off addresses to do exactly this. 

Not sure what you mean by "the two are not 'connected'?" Which two what? 

castle96

ie, does he have to use his/correct email address to get iplayer? Are the 2 connected. He tells me he cannot be traced even if he uses his correct/only address. What is the point of them asking for it then?

400ixl

I would assume they are not using their real postcode when authorising the account set up and email address.

More importantly they would need to be using a VPN else their IP will be logged and they can just request the physical address via the ISP through processes already in place (requires a court authorisation though I believe in the same way FACT identify copyright infringers to write to them).

Whether they do trace potential offenders this way I don't know but it is possible and more accurate than an email address.

castle96

sorry, ou lost me in the tech speak!  Do they need a postcode as well? 
Same Qs.
Do you need a real email address? Why
Do you need a real postcode. (Who would put that in )! Why?

400ixl

When you create your account and set up the email, you are also asked to input your postcode to validate you are a UK resident. The email address needs to be live as they send a confirmation email to that address which you click on a link within to validate the email address. Without that validation the account does not become live.

castle96

So you put in a correct email address and any old postcode. CAN THEY TRACE YOU ??

400ixl

Not really and only if the email supplier knows their physical address. However when you use the application they will see the IP address that you are coming from. That IP address will be registered to a supplier (e.g. your internet or mobile phone provider) and they will know who was using that IP at that time and the real physical address of that customer. This information can be requested via the proper channels by the BBC if the so wished.

You can hide you IP address by using a VPN so that your internet providers is not used.

I don't believe that the BBC try to track people via their email address as it would not be very efficient. They are far more likely to do it via their checks on the physical address being licensed.

castle96

" They are far more likely to do it via their checks on the physical address being licensed."
But the address will not have a licence. There will be no real address. It willbe a fake post code so...?