Disney+ Rolling Out Anti-Password Sharing Rules
The streamer is updating its subscriber agreement in Canada to limit usage to a single household.
When Netflix announced that it would be introducing new rules to curb password-sharing, there is no doubt that other streaming services would be keeping a close eye on how those efforts were received by streaming customers. It now appears that Disney+ is following the roadmap set forth by the world’s largest streamer and deploying similar rules internationally in an effort to test out the plan before bringing it to the United States.
As first pointed out on Reddit, in a message to Canadian Disney+ subscribers ahead of the introduction of additional ad plans, the company has updated its subscriber agreement to specifically limit usage of the service to a single household. The new agreement is set to go into effect on Nov. 1, 2023.
“We’re implementing restrictions on your ability to share your account or login credentials outside of your household,” the streamer says.
While this is the same concept behind Netflix’s anti-password sharing efforts, there is no mention of the ability for account holders to add sub-accounts for users outside of the household. However, in the platform’s FAQs, Disney+ does make clear what devices can be considered part of the subscription.
“You may not share your subscription outside of your household,” the streamer notes. “‘Household’ means the collection of devices associated with your primary personal residence that are used by the individuals who reside therein.”
The Streamable has reached out to Disney representatives for clarification on the full details of the plan in Canada and whether or not the company plans on extending these new rules to U.S. customers as well.
One of the issues that goes along with these types of limitations is that there are a multitude of reasons why individuals or families that live in the same household would need to occasionally or regularly use the service in multiple locations. Whether it is young adults in college, individuals traveling for work, snowbirds, families on vacation or any other situation, these types of rules can cause significant difficulties and disruptions to a family’s ability to stream.
Netflix used international tests, first in Latin America and then in Canada before rolling them out domestically this May.
In the months following those tests, Netflix executives indicated that they were pleased with what they learned and in earnings reports following the U.S. introduction, the streaming giant saw record signups as its new ad-supported subscription options and anti-password sharing rules began to take hold.
Disney is no doubt hoping for similar results as it has seen multiple quarters of subscriber declines and billions of dollars in streaming profit losses.
Disney+
Disney+ is a video streaming service with over 13,000 series and films from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, The Muppets, and more. It is available in 61 countries and 21 languages. It is notable for its popular original series like “The Mandalorian,” “Ms. Marvel,” “Loki,” “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” and “Andor.”