BT gives 16 year old control of PARENTAL CONTROLS and SPEND with BT Mobile SIM

[wrichards]

WOW.. I really cannot believe this.

I have managed parental controls and spend in my household with my BT ID for two years.

I recently passed a BT mobile sim to my 16 year old sibling. She was prompted to create a BT ID through the BT app which she duly did.

Afterwhich, my BT ID was downgraded to 'secondary' and I LOST CONTROL OF SPEND AND PARENTAL CONTROLS to a CHILD!

So I call BT - there is nothing they can do for me to regain control of the account, I have to find out passwords and log into the accounts and do this MYSELF.

Furthermore, if any of the children with access to a BT mobile and our account number (which is plastered over the BT mobile sim documentation) choose to login again - they would be GIVEN THE OPTION TO TAKE CONTROL AGAIN. This means they could set their own SPENDING limits, access X-RATED websites both through broadband at HOME and on their MOBILE, and even BUY new products, indeed my 16 year old sister has been permitted to do any of this for the whole of last WEEK.

This is unbelieveable - and BT CANNOT EVEN ASSIST!.

Safeguarding of children issue much?

TBF my DS1 (16) is very sensible, and would probably want the direct debit on his own account.

Ring them up and tell them you've logged into your account and believe someone has hacked it.

Everytime we've made a change I've had a letter. The account is in my name, and even when I've changed something on my SIM they've written to me. We've, also, had phone calls to tell us changes have been made because you can link your phone to your landline so if you dial an 0845 no. for example, they'll charge your landline not your mobile.

It seems something has gone badly wrong in your case.

On BT.com - its says 'if you want to become the primary account holder call us' - I've called them up and told them that I want to be the primary account holder again, and they say are unable to do this.

(they said that usually the primary account holder cannot be changed but with a link for BT mobile it can)

Why DID you GIVE your SISTER the SIM card? Don't DO it AGAIN. SIMPLES

OP, I'd be shouting too. I don't really know why you're getting a hard time here. BT are twats.

I think YABVU - you gave your sibling the SIM card. That's where you went wrong. It's not BTs fault it is yours. They didn't give her the SIM. You should have set up the account for her because she is a child.

I have BT and think their parental control is good.

Have you tried this?

I gave my ds a sim card. Knowing it was on my account. He put it in his phone. At the point did anything from O2 expect him to set up a new account.

OP, I know it's a pain to read the small print but here it is in black and white for you. I've bolder the relevant bit.

BT MOBILE SERVICE TERMS

BT Mobile service terms

.......

Parental Controls
We provide you with the ability, while in the UK, to restrict access to content that may be considered inappropriate for children. We call these the "BT Mobile Parental Controls".
BT Mobile Parental Controls are turned on by default. You can use the tools we provide you at www.bt.com/mymobile to turn BT Mobile Parental Controls off or to set the level of control you want.
You may set up BT Mobile Parental Controls independently for each SIM on your account.
If you wish to give your SIM to someone who is below 18 years of age, you must ensure BT Mobile Parental Controls are enabled before doing so
We adhere to the UK code of practice for the self-regulation of content on mobiles. This means that we adhere to its practices and guidance on the categorisation of content and websites, which is provided to us and our suppliers by the British Board of Film Classification (the BBFC). This means that we follow mobile industry best practices, and that the categorisation of sites as inappropriate (or otherwise) is determined by an independent third party.
We are not responsible for any content that you, or anybody you allow to use the service, may access using the services we provide.

BT Mobile parental controls were enabled before she was given the sim, BT then sent her a link which made her the main account holder and gave her the ability to deactivate those parental controls

Oh, ok, i think I see what you mean now. that does seem a bit

Why don't you just take the sim back off of her and get her a new one? Or cancel your BT account and direct debit.

They've made the minor the main account holder.

I'm assuming this this means the op is contractually still obliged to pay the bill, and they've transferred data protection rights and account control to the minor.

Thankfully I no longer have to deal with BT. Got a year free with Sky.

I don't set parental controls for a 16 year old though . I really wouldn't have a problem with them having access to the whole account either.