TV - Detector Vans? Myth or Reality?

[cronus]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/08 ... net-users/

BBC to deploy detection vans to snoop on internet users

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 Telegraph can disclose that from next month, the BBC vans will fan out across the country capturing information from private Wi-Fi networks in homes to “sniff out” those who have not paid the licence fee.

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.

(continued, not paid my licence in ten years - no trouble...)

[Svartalf]

yeah right, I I have a new tech that can enable detection of untapped oil fields from a plane...

[Sean Hayden]

yeah right, I I have a new tech that can enable detection of untapped oil fields from a plane...

-brave new world

[Tyrannical]

Those TV detector vans have been rumored to be fake for decades. If they were real, there'd be the occasional story of someone with a parabolic microwave gun burning the shit out of all the electronics in that van.

[pErvinalia]

Jeez, just charge everyone for a license whether they use it or not. You guys are supposed to be a socialist heartland. What are ya, Merkans or something?!

[JimC]

Absolutely. Ditch the licence, raise whatever tax seems sensible to replace the amount currently generated, and don't worry about detecting anyone...

[NineBerry]

I have to agree. That would be a very sensible approach. After all, that is what the Germans have been doing since two years.

[JimC]

Oz has been doing that forever. No licence fees, our public broadcaster supported by general revenue.

Enough to drive Seth into apoplexy...

[pErvinalia]

And it broadcasts nothing but Marxist propaganda too!

[JimC]

I for one welcome our new ABC overlords...

[Scot Dutchy]

Absolutely. Ditch the licence, raise whatever tax seems sensible to replace the amount currently generated, and don't worry about detecting anyone...

That is what we did back in the 70's. The licence is just another form of tax.

[Scot Dutchy]

I think Britain and possibly Ireland are the only countries still having a licence requirement.

[MrJonno]

Absolutely. Ditch the licence, raise whatever tax seems sensible to replace the amount currently generated, and don't worry about detecting anyone...

That is what we did back in the 70's. The licence is just another form of tax.

It is a tax but its not at tax that goes directly to the government , so it has less direct control over the BBC. It still has influence obviously but with a license free state owned TV isn't state run.

That said a TV licence in the internet age doesn't make sense, far better just to have a Comm's license to access the public airways, covers internet, telephony, tv etc. I'm pretty sure that is what Germany has. Can fund the BBC and maybe internet access in less profitable areas (I personally would just bulldoze the countryside but that's not much of a vote winner)

[Svartalf]

I think Britain and possibly Ireland are the only countries still having a licence requirement.

Nope, we still do, though they are trying to slap the tax on me every year, even though I don't have a telly.

[Scot Dutchy]

I think Germany is like us just take it out of general taxation. The BBC is more independent than our PBS though.