o2 wanting to verify my age

[Anonymous]

Ive been on o2 payandgo on my iphone for a while now, and today when i try to access certain sites, it wants me to verify my age.
Why now?? Or can i change my settings to get round this?

[Anonymous]

I keep on getting this, what the fuck is going on?
Does this mean O2 are snooping on all the stuff we browse on the Internet? because if so they're going to end up in Court. I hope this is just temporary because thus far no-one seems to have a clue on getting rid of it for good.

[adamtemp64]

all explaind in several threads and this o2 blog http://blog.o2.co.uk/home/2011/03/mobil ... wered.html

[Anonymous]

' Access to 18+ rated websites is therefore blocked by default. Customers only have to age verify once."
Clearly rubbish as I have had to do so twice this year.

[adamtemp64]

' Access to 18+ rated websites is therefore blocked by default. Customers only have to age verify once."
Clearly rubbish as I have had to do so twice this year.

Then complain using the correct procedures customer services then the complaints review service

[Anonymous]

I have spoken to customer services and they said sorry. They tell me that I won't need to verify again but they told me that the first time.

[Anonymous]

This is disgusting. I have started getting this. I was trying to access a support forum one that should not be blocked.
To make it worse I dont have a credit card so they say I have to go into the store.
This is disgusting treatment to customers.

[adamtemp64]

nevaborn just ring customer services that is all i did to get the block lifted.
Then report the forum concerned in the large thread or on twitter as o2 have requested on a thread on here

[Anonymous]

nevaborn just ring customer services that is all i did to get the block lifted.
Then report the forum concerned in the large thread or on twitter as o2 have requested on a thread on here

I did but didn't get into blocked sites , simply as to explain would take too long only non 18 sites too were blocked. So anyway the very polite lady did the form over phone and my phone is already unblocked.
I stand by the way the company handles things like this as disgusting. But also O2 have a great customer service team. Just wish the infrastructure was equally as good to the customer.

[Anonymous]

I've also been hit by this. I'm an O2 customer, via Carphone Warehouse. CPW pushed me over to O2, so I called them, and was told that I had to verify my age, or visit a store.
The reasons given for the block were:
- Protecting minors from adult content
- People might give their kids a contract phone
Personally, I think this is a parent's responsibility, and not for O2 or anyone else to be doing. By all means, if O2 want to make this an optional "feature" for those parents to use, then that's fine. I'm 37, and quite frankly, I find it offensive to have to prove I'm 18, when I have already done so by taking out the contract in the first place. Likewise, no reasonable person would ever look at me and suspect I'm under 18, so again, I find it offensive that I have to show photo ID at an O2 store to do so. I dont' see why I have to give O2/Bango/whomever my personal details so that can put me on a "he likes to look at porn" list, when all I want is Google Translate, Ann Summers, gambling sites, and all the things O2 have blocked at their whim.
O2 can shove this where the sun doesn't shine. I didn't contract for this, I don't want this, I wasn't consulted before it appeared, and now I'm not getting what I am paying for. Whilst I'm sure O2 will wriggle out of the legalities of breach of contract, they won't wriggle out of me leaving O2 and going to to a competitor (or a rebrand, such as Tescos, which is not affected).
Worse than that, O2 have reminded me that operators can't be trusted. Vodafone did something like this a while back (and got hung for it by their customers). O2 either missed all the negative press, or they're utterly braindead. Well, O2, you've lost me as a customer, and you've inspired me to NEVER take out a long contract ever again. From now on, it's 30 day contracts, or PAYG for me. Nice one O2 - you've given me the shove I perhaps needed to leave CPW and stop using long contracts. From now on, you're gonna have to fight for my custom, rather than take it for granted.
Goodbye O2, you've got what you deserve.

[Anonymous]

I've also been hit by this. I'm an O2 customer, via Carphone Warehouse. CPW pushed me over to O2, so I called them, and was told that I had to verify my age, or visit a store.
The reasons given for the block were:
- Protecting minors from adult content
- People might give their kids a contract phone
Personally, I think this is a parent's responsibility, and not for O2 or anyone else to be doing. By all means, if O2 want to make this an optional "feature" for those parents to use, then that's fine. I'm 37, and quite frankly, I find it offensive to have to prove I'm 18, when I have already done so by taking out the contract in the first place. Likewise, no reasonable person would ever look at me and suspect I'm under 18, so again, I find it offensive that I have to show photo ID at an O2 store to do so. I dont' see why I have to give O2/Bango/whomever my personal details so that can put me on a "he likes to look at porn" list, when all I want is Google Translate, Ann Summers, gambling sites, and all the things O2 have blocked at their whim.
O2 can shove this where the sun doesn't shine. I didn't contract for this, I don't want this, I wasn't consulted before it appeared, and now I'm not getting what I am paying for. Whilst I'm sure O2 will wriggle out of the legalities of breach of contract, they won't wriggle out of me leaving O2 and going to to a competitor (or a rebrand, such as Tescos, which is not affected).
Worse than that, O2 have reminded me that operators can't be trusted. Vodafone did something like this a while back (and got hung for it by their customers). O2 either missed all the negative press, or they're utterly braindead. Well, O2, you've lost me as a customer, and you've inspired me to NEVER take out a long contract ever again. From now on, it's 30 day contracts, or PAYG for me. Nice one O2 - you've given me the shove I perhaps needed to leave CPW and stop using long contracts. From now on, you're gonna have to fight for my custom, rather than take it for granted.
Goodbye O2, you've got what you deserve.

And breath,,,,,
I have also been hit by the age verification, and whilst at first I was a bit miffed by it all I looked at the reasons behind it.
All networks are part of IMBC who agree what websites get graded to 18 and above yes, it would have been nice if o2 had informed its customers in advance but hey. It is not only about parents keeping an eye on what wbesites kids go to, but about verifying all sim cards (contract and PAYG) against alsorts of abuse.. drug dealers and pervs (sorry to be crude) to name a few.
When you get the message on your device, it gives you options... you do not have to use a credit card, you can go to a store... if o2 were making money out of this then I would be the first to complain but they give you more money back.
For someone of 37 years, I think its a little over the top if you can not see the reason for networks wanting to protect its customers? I am not wanting to sound rude, but it seems you have a bigger grudge against the networks than age verification... and at the end of the day everyone can choose to be a customer or not..
for those reading this, who do not know why o2 and ALL mobile networks are checking peoples age take a peek at the following o2 blog...
http://blog.o2.co.uk/home/2011/03/mobil ... wered.html