Disney+ subscribers are up in arms after the streaming giant unveiled its plans to clamp down on password sharing.
From Taylor Swift’s Eras tour to the captivating Mandalorian, Disney+ is packed with a plethora of boxsets and thrilling films for all the family to enjoy. But the firm is now facing a wave of backlash from fans amid a contentious decision labelled ‘pulling a Netflix’.
Countless Disney+ viewers have become accustomed to the luxury of sharing their accounts with individuals outside their households – a system that’s allowed some to dodge paying anything at all. But this is all set to change, as the company is currently devising a strategy to combat password sharing, which will be implemented as early as next month.
“In June we’ll be launching our first real foray into password sharing,” Disney chief Bob Iger recently disclosed to CNBC, during a discussion about boosting the firm’s profit. “Just a few countries and a few markets, but then it will grow significantly with a full roll-out in September.”
This revelation emerges just as its main rival, Netflix, took a similar step last year in an attempt to deter freeloaders worldwide. Those still eager to share have been offered the option to buy ‘extra member slots’ for each individual in their virtual Netflix household – costing an additional £4.99 a month on top of other charges.
While the specifics of Disney+’s impending crackdown remain shrouded in mystery, it’s anticipated that violators will be hit with a warning and a fee to continue their viewing.
Disney enthusiasts are less than thrilled, to put it mildly, with many heading to social media to express their indignation. One disgruntled fan posted on X: “After Disney pulled a Netflix and stopped password sharing I’m guessing this means Max [streaming platform] will be done that way too.”
Another chimed in with their prediction: “I can’t wait for this password sharing crackdown to blow up in Netflix and Disney’s faces. All they’re going to do is push people back into torrenting all their s***. You think this will help profits? It’s going to be a bloodbath on your bottom lines.”
Someone else also chimed in: “Piracy has returned to being the easiest way to watch what you want without having to use a spreadsheet to see who owns what for how long,” as a fourth simply wrote: “Boooooooo.”
