[LINK] ABC puts off compulsory registration for iview service

[Kim Holburn]

https://itwire.com/strategy/abc-puts-off-compulsory-registration-for-iview-service.html

> The Australian Broadcasting Corporation has postponed by at least six months its move to introduce compulsory registration for its 
> online iview service from 1 July onwards.
>
> An ABC spokesperson said in a statement on Thursday that the company, which is *a fully taxpayer-funded entity 
> <https://itwire.com/open-sauce/abc-demands-your-details-to-show-you-iview-content-you-funded.html>*, had intended to introduce the 
> mandatory registration during July and August.
>
> "[We] decided to slow things down to ensure our audiences understand the benefits they will receive from creating an ABC account 
> and the ways we manage and protect their personal information," the spokesperson added.
>
> iview is a service that allows viewers to see programs that have already been broadcast or, in some cases, which are yet to go to 
> air. Many commercial TV channels have similar services, but they require registration as this is used to monetise the service.
>
> In May, when /iTWire/ asked the ABC why registration was being made compulsory, the company *said 
> <https://itwire.com/strategy/abc-says-iview-accounts-meant-to-help-users,-but-silent-on-why-they-are-compulsory.html>* it was 
> meant to help users in the wake of a survey carried out in 2020.
>
> "Logins help us to make sure we provide relevant content and features for all Australians. Such data shapes the programming we 
> create and the products we build, allowing us to continually improve the types of programs we produce and acquire," /iTWire/ was 
> told at the time.
>
> But the ABC was silent when asked why, if this was the case, the registration was not made voluntary so that those who wanted to 
> avail of any claimed benefits could register, while others were not forced to do so.
>
> The ABC spokesperson added: "We are continuing to work with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner to ensure we are 
> industry leaders in terms of the use of personal data, in line with the trust that Australians place in the ABC.
>
> "It is our intention to introduce mandatory logins for ABC iview by the end of the year."
>

-- 
Kim Holburn
IT Network & Security Consultant
+61 404072753
mailto:kim at holburn.net  aim://kimholburn
skype://kholburn - PGP Public Key on request