how can we turn pin off PERMANENTLY? it is an absolute pain

[twinflameskiss]

How can we turn the pin off PERMANENTLY?

We are a couple in out 50s and do not have children and DO NOT need a pin, at all, EVER, and should NOT have one enforced on us.

We have turned off the pin setting, but are still asked for one all the time. We dont watch porm program with violence ior drug programs, etc.,  yet it still is imposed on programs we cant even work out why. Why does Ancient Aliens need a pin? 

It is an absolute PAIN, every time we switch channels in a pin program we have to put it in all over again when we switch back. (And changing it to 1111 is not a solution).

When we were with BT (and other services) we didnt have to, so Virgin COULD make it optional. There are complaints on here going back to 2011 from adults without children, and with disabilities using the controls, asking for it to be removed permanently, yet Virgin have just IGNORED them.

WE are the customer, WE are paying for the service, WE should have the choice of imposing any parental controls only if they are needed, not Virgin.

So Virgin, when are you going to give the people paying the option to turn it off PERMANENTLY?

[jamesofmerton]

slightly different rules for streaming services.

i don't see things changing with regards to sky, bt, virgin etc.

[nodrogd]

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@caveman30 wrote:

Why cant they do what netflix does and have accounts that way once you are logged into that account it says how old you are and does not require you to enter another pin, you could have all boxes setup as guests and keep the current setup on the boxes and for those that want no pin make an account and sign in to the account and then they dont need the pin again

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You can't run this type of account with linear broadcast channels, only with internet based services.

[Lynne031]

Sorry, this isn’t a solution, but adds to the argument to have the parental control of TVs removed. 

My mother is 90 years old, lives in a sheltered housing complex; is widowed,  she has vascular dementia, no cognitive abilities and no mobility. This means she does not have the ability to enter PIN details, which are sometimes required EVEN for Disney channels on Sky Movies!!!!! Although this has been has been an ongoing major irritation for years, with Covid restrictions and having to avoid visiting my mother unless essential, it has become more than an irritation. For a 90 year old to only be able to watch a “U” without someone being present to enter a PIN number is ridiculous and as you are no doubt aware this includes any recorded programmes.

I feel that the OFCOM control of channels in a sheltered housing complex (NO CHILDREN !!!!!) is ridiculous, and could be considered as a breach of the Equality Act 2010 / Disability Discrimination Act, as they are clearly discriminating against someone with a disability!! (and an explanation of how they feel they aren’t in breach of the Act - and I’ll request a written response).

It’s my intention to phone OFCOM tomorrow to hopefully get some clarity on this ‘big brother’ attitude.

[Sephiroth]

Do keep us posted, please. You have raised a very important issue.

And you are right to contact OFCOM because even if VM read these forums (which I doubt because they don't want to know), they'd just plead higher authority forces the PIN.

[jamesofmerton]

i stand by what previously said. i don't see things changing. even less so now with 'concerns' about what children are exposed to in one or another story most days.

i suspect the argument that could be used with sheltered accommodation/care homes etc, is that children can and do visit anywhere, relatives for example or a cubs/scouts bob a job day helping the elderly. that is the whole point of having the pin set up. just in case.....

any change would be through an act of parliament and with everything going on in the world at the minute, the pin issue is low priority.

ofcom review things every now and again, but it is usually to tighten things up not start removing pins.

as frustrating as it is, i really do not see things changing. you would be met with plenty of opposition from parents, mp's, the media and others in a long drawn out court case.

the logistics would be complex in ensuring where to apply a no pin usage in particular areas. but the same argument will come up again, in that it is designed to protect children. the only exception i could see would be in a casino/bookmakers/strip club/private members clubs or where children are simply not allowed at all ever. i'm sure the aforementioned and the like would have a case with regards to discrimination, but no one else.

maybe in the future some technology will come around whereby the tv knows how old the person is that is watching the tv and scrambles the picture if a child enters the room.

for the record lynne, we find it all a pain too in our household.

[nodrogd]

Equal rights versus the child protection lobby.

Vaccine passports versus personal liberties.

Another one to add to the list??

Broadcasters wanted more flexibility in what they can broadcast when. This was the only way that suited all parties with the existing technology in place. The TV is still seen as a communal device in the home, so whether you have to enter a pin or a password you still have the same issue.

[jamesofmerton]

'they'd just plead higher authority forces the PIN'

the government and ofcom you mean, yes that's right. they force it, every provider then abides by the law as a result.

i read that sky/virgin/bt etc are involved in ofcom reviews on occasion. but unless millions of customers are all demanding removal of pins, i don't think it would even be looked at. i only ever see the occasional complaint on here or which or on social media. certainly not enough to justify a full blown review to remove pins.

[nodrogd]

OFCOM also has to protect vulnerable groups as part of its remit. They cannot please everyone all the time.

 The TV box has to be “child proof”. Creating back doors so that people can circumvent the security, be it on the internet or otherwise will quickly result in no security at all.

Think of that next time you fight with the lid on your prescription tablets, or the detergent tablet container for the washing machine. I don’t have kids in the house either, but I have no option but to buy these in a container designed to keep kids out.

[LostSoul1981]

Wrong.

I am currently having this issue with with Sky Comedy.

It’s asking me for a PIN number for Curb Your Enthusiasm with the excuse that it’s a “15” rated program.

I’m 39 and don’t have kids, so no kids have access to my box.

Why am I being asked for a PIN number? And why can’t I turn this off?

I thought it was called “parental controls” not “virgin media tells you what you can and can’t watch without a PIN number”.

[DJ_Shadow1966]

Hello

The restrictions are set by Ofcom and affect Sky who have to enforce the pin setting. I am afraid that it cannot be changed.

Regards Mike