As a regular watchrer of BBC ip through VPN it was with some alarm I read the following
Overcoming the iPlayer lock down
As soon as the BBC locks-up its service to subscribers only, however, all those thousands of VPN users living outside the UK are suddenly going to need to subscribe. In theory, this shouldn’t be too hard. By using a VPN to tunnel into the UK, people can still gain access to the subscription page. When subscribing, they can then simply enter a pre-researched British postcode of their choosing – preferably one that ties into the location of the UK VPN server that they are using.
With the fake postcode entered, access to the BBC iPlayer will be granted once again. You may be thinking that it sounds risky? What if they realize I don’t live there, you ask? That is a valid concern. The BBC could well use the postcodes from subscriptions to send out TV license bills to registered BBC ID subscribers. When they try to find you (to ask you for your license payments) you won’t exist. This could well ring the BBC’s alarm bells and perhaps even lead to illegitimate iPlayer accounts being shut down.
In addition, because you have been discovered watching the BBC’s programming in a copyright restricted location, you are technically a criminal and could be prosecuted for copyright theft. Thankfully, a VPN encrypts all user data so that visited websites have no idea who the VPN user is, or where they really are.
Encryption and Anonymity
What is true is that the BBC’s Postcode plunder will increase the risks related to watching iPlayer from restricted regions. With that in mind, anybody that does decide to take the risk by signing up for iPlayer using a fake UK Postcode would be wise to do so using a false identity also. Inventing a British sounding name to go with a true-Brit postcode will keep a VPN user’s real identity concealed. It will also make their account blend in more easily with those of bonafide British residents.
Of course, that account may eventually be discovered and shut down. At that point, however, the VPN user could simply subscribe again with another fake name and postcode.
Naturally, I can’t specifically advise you to break the law with a fake subscription. Anybody that does forge a UK Postcode from overseas does so at their own risk, you have been warned! While it is impossible for me to endorse the use of a VPN to watch iPlayer from abroad, it is also true that many thousands of people already do it. The steps described above, however, are only for descriptive purposes. They are provided only to inform readers about what an iPlayer-addicted VPN user might decide to do if they want to continue watching iPlayer from overseas in 2017.
