Disney+ appears set to crack down on password sharing, following in the footsteps of Netflix, starting with users in Canada.
According to a recent report from Mobile Syrup, the House of Mouse is preparing to implement changes to its subscriber agreement.
The new policy will take effect on November 1st of this year, coinciding with the introduction of an ad-supported tier in Canada.
The revised subscriber agreement now includes a section specifically addressing account sharing, and it clearly states that, unless explicitly allowed by a user's service tier, sharing a subscription outside of one's household will be prohibited.
Disney+ defines “household” as the devices associated with a user's primary residence and used by the individuals residing there.
It's important to note that additional usage rules may apply to different service tiers.
To emphasize the seriousness of this change, Disney warns that those found in violation of the new policy may face account cancellations.
The responsibility for safeguarding passwords and adhering to these guidelines falls squarely on the paying customer.
While some may wonder why Canada is the initial target, it's likely that this action is just the beginning.
In August, Disney announced its intentions to address account sharing, with CEO Bob Iger acknowledging the need to find legitimate ways for subscribers to share accounts with friends and family.
He mentioned during an earnings call, “We are actively exploring ways to address account sharing and the best options for paying subscribers to share their accounts with friends and family.”
Iger also indicated that Disney would update subscriber agreements and sharing policies later this year, with plans to implement monetization tactics in 2024.
These upcoming changes are eagerly anticipated, as they will likely determine the future landscape of password sharing on Disney+.