O2 Age Verification, data privacy and maybe shared profit from porn
There's a bit of a discussion going on at the O2 "Discuss O2" forum forum.o2.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=56214 regarding O2, their use of Bango, the collection of data, incompetent site categorisation and just which sites are the 18 which are referenced in the spamming SMS
"O2: You'll need to prove you're over 18 to go on 18 websites on your mobile. Call our free automated service 61018 or go to http://o2.co.uk/ageverify . You'll need a credit card"
Bango:
* Site categorisation (translate.google.com is a naughty site)
* Mobile content (of questionable taste?) billing
* Site analytics
* Boasters of how much data they can grab, store and pass on to their customers.
* Age verification...
I fear it's not a give us your credit card, we will deduct a pound and give you two pounds fifty back... more of give us your credit card, we'll sweeten it a bit and then be able to bill again and....
This is what they say on their registration website
"The first time you use a credit card to prove to us that you are 18 or older we will charge £1 to your credit card and credit £2.50 to your mobile account. Please note that each time you age verify, your credit card will be charged £1. You will only receive £2.50 credit when you use this service for the first time. "
Personally, I think this smells a bit like a the uncollected bins left out the back of the local fishmongers during a summer council strike
Anyhow, take a peak at the forum and make your own judgements