Disney+ is one of the most popular streaming services in the world, with over 100 million subscribers and a vast library of content from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic and more. However, not everyone who watches Disney+ is paying for it. Many users share their passwords with friends or family members outside their household, which violates the terms of service and costs Disney a lot of potential revenue.
That’s why Disney+ is starting to crack down on password-sharing, following the footsteps of Netflix, which introduced a similar policy earlier this year. According to reports, Disney+ has updated its subscriber agreement and help document to clarify that users may not share their account and subscription outside of their household. The new rules will take effect on November 1, 2023 in Canada, where Disney+ is also launching a new ad-supported tier that will allow for two simultaneous streams. It is unclear if the password-sharing crackdown will also apply to other countries or regions soon, but it seems likely that Disney+ will eventually enforce it globally.
What does this mean for Disney+ users?
Well, if you are sharing your password with someone who does not live in your primary residence, you may soon receive a warning message or an email asking you to verify your account. If you fail to do so, or if Disney+ detects that you are violating the terms of service, your account may be limited or terminated. This means that you may lose access to your favorite shows and movies on Disney+, as well as any extras or benefits that come with your subscription.
How can you avoid this?
The simplest way is to stop sharing your password with anyone outside your household. Alternatively, you can upgrade to a higher-tier plan that offers more simultaneous streams or extra users, if available in your region. For example, in Canada, the new Standard plan will cost $13.99 per month and allow for two streams, while the Premium plan will cost $19.99 per month and allow for four streams.
Disney+ is not the only streaming service that is cracking down on password-sharing. Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max and others have also implemented or announced similar measures to prevent users from abusing their accounts and subscriptions. This is part of a larger trend in the streaming industry, as companies try to increase their revenues and profits amid rising costs and competition. Streaming services are also raising their prices, introducing ads, offering bundles and creating exclusive content to attract and retain customers.
Password-sharing may seem like a harmless way to save money and enjoy more content, but it has serious consequences for both the streaming services and the users. It reduces the income of the content creators and distributors, which may affect the quality and quantity of the shows and movies they produce. It also exposes the users to security risks, such as identity theft, malware or phishing. Moreover, it violates the terms of service that users agree to when they sign up for a streaming service, which may result in losing access to their account and subscription.
Therefore, it is advisable to respect the rules and regulations of the streaming services you use, and only share your password with people who live in your household. This way, you can enjoy Disney+ and other streaming services without any hassle or worry.
