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The BBC is to spy on internet users in their homes by deploying a new generation of Wi-Fi detection vans to identify those illicitly watching its programmes online.
The corporation has been given legal dispensation to use the new technology, which is typically only available to crime-fighting agencies, to enforce the new requirement that people watching BBC programmes via the iPlayer must have a TV licence.
Researchers at University College London disclosed that they had used a laptop running freely available software to identify Skype internet phone calls passing over encrypted Wi-Fi, without needing to crack the network password. They actually don't need to decrypt traffic, because they can already see the packets. They have control over the iPlayer, so they could ensure that it sends packets at a specific size, and match them up.
Source: The Telegraph [paywall]
Also covered by The Register.
n1: The existing TV detector van 'technology' has been in use in the UK since the 1950's, there has never been an explanation as to how they work. I am unaware of any occasions where evidence obtained by one was used to prosecute anyone.
A leaked internal document from the BBC gives a detailed breakdown of the state of licence fee payments and the number of people who evade the charge – but fails to make any mention of the detector vans.
While documenting the number of officers to collect the £145.50 fee increased to 334 this summer, an 18 page memo from the TV Licensing's Executive Management Forum obtained by the Radio Times makes no mention of the vans finding those who don't pay.
Source: The Telegraph (2013)
(Score: 2, Insightful) by tftp on Monday August 08 2016, @07:03AM
Everybody has a tv so why not just do it with a normal tax?
That could have been true in 1990's, but not today. I don't have a TV. Many people don't watch TV - or if they do, they use Netflix or the like. If you want to watch TV, you might be better off paying your own tax, a.k.a. service fees. I do not want to be a part of that circus - and it is easy here, I just don't subscribe to the TV service. There are many better alternatives to sitting like a zombie in front of the screen. I dare say, even writing this post is better :-)
If BBC wants to make sure that only subscribers receive their Internet feed, they can easily enough do that with DRM. Every cable box in the USA is capable of accurately charging you for the premium content. But looks like BBC wants to collect their fees from everyone, no matter if they watch their channel or not. That would be the only logical explanation of this JBT tactic in the era of easy, convenient, personalized, encrypted, metered access to services.
(Score: -1, Flamebait) by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 08 2016, @07:16AM
I don't have a TV.
Of course you don't.
Many people don't watch TV
Too busy snapchatting their tits.
There are many better alternatives to sitting like a zombie in front of the screen.
Tell each other all about how you don't have a TV!
I dare say, even writing this post is better
We're so social!
(Score: 2) by Rivenaleem on Monday August 08 2016, @09:38AM
This is where the Irish Gov truly got us. You only have to have a device capable of receiving TV now to require the license. They really should just tax everyone and be done with it.
(Score: 1) by anubi on Wednesday August 10 2016, @07:44AM
Gee, I have a device capable of impregnating someone. Should I be charged as if I had used it for that?
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." [KJV: I Thessalonians 5:21]
(Score: 2) by Rivenaleem on Wednesday August 10 2016, @08:29AM
Ha Ha Ha, silly fellow soylentil, you are going to have a hard time proving your capability of impregnating people!