ABC introduces mandatory iview login requirements from March 15
The public broadcaster is rolling out compulsory login requirements to use its free streaming service from March but it may cause issues for some users.
ABC viewers from next month will be unable to watch some of their favourite programs on iview unless they set up a mandatory login under changes being introduced by the public broadcaster.
The ABC has suffered lengthy delays in rolling out mandatory logins, with privacy issues one of the key concerns. But the taxpayer-funded broadcaster finally revealed on Thursday the login requirement would begin from March 15 in a staged rollout.
To set up an iview account users will need to provide an email address or sign up using an existing social media account via platforms including Google or Facebook.
They must provide their name but can use a pseudonym or nickname if they wish, their location (suburb or postcode), year of birth and their gender, which includes a “prefer not to say” option.
Under the changes, viewers will still be able to watch the ABC’s live broadcast streams, including ABC TV, ABC News, ABC Kids and ABC ME without requiring a login.
National Seniors Australia chief advocate Ian Henschke said there would likely be some people, particularly older viewers, who could be prevented from watching programs if they don’t have their own email account.
“It’s unlikely many people watching via iview don’t have an email, but there may be a few who don’t and that would be unfortunate,” he said. “An email is free and easy to set up.”
The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner said it had been liaising with the ABC since May last year to help minimise or eliminate any privacy impacts.
“The OAIC will continue to closely monitor developments and we have requested that the ABC keep us updated as they move towards the rollout of mandatory login this year,” a spokesman said.
ABC managing director David Anderson appeared at Senate estimates this week and confirmed the broadcaster was in the process of “relaunching” iview, which in the interim has continued to prompt users to sign up to the login process but it has not yet been mandatory.
“Login will allow people to pick up where they left off across the devices once they have logged in, this is just for ABC iview so not for ABC News,” he said.
There are currently almost six million ABC accounts established and since May last year the ABC has received 514 complaints or queries about the introduction of logins.
Mr Anderson said the ABC had “taken on a lot of feedback” in relation to features, privacy and data ahead of the changes.
Viewers under the age of 15 can set up an ABC Kids account which links to a parent’s email.
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