What a shock. After Netflix’s extended password-sharing crackdowns proved to be unfortunately successful, Disney+ has decided this is a good time to start a password-sharing crackdown of its own. Actually, we aren’t surprised. It seems like the new streaming playbook includes password-sharing limitations right alongside price increases and ad-supported tiers. Disney+ had previously indicated such a password-sharing crackdown was on the horizon earlier in the year. And now it looks like it’s here, and it will start in Canada. Here’s what we know about Disney+’s password-sharing crackdown efforts so far.
Disney+ Notifies Users of Password Sharing Crackdown
According to The Verge, Disney+ sent an email to subscribers in Canada alerting them that password-sharing was on notice. The email noted, “We’re implementing restrictions on your ability to share your account or login credentials outside of your household.” Although Disney+ did not go too deeply into detail about what its password-sharing crackdown would look like, it feels like the streamer is emulating Netflix’s version. In fact, Disney+ even references the idea of “households,” a term Netflix created so it could enforce who could and could not use one Netflix account.
Changes to Disney+’s User Agreement in Canada
In the case of Disney+, an updated Help Center page notes, “You may not share your subscription outside of your household.” Additionally, a new “account sharing” heading now appears in Candian subscribers’ user agreements. As shared by MobileSyrup, the section includes the following information:
Unless otherwise permitted by your Service Tier, you may not share your subscription outside of your household. “Household” means the collection of devices associated with your primary personal residence that are used by the individuals who reside therein. Additional usage rules may apply for certain Service Tiers.
We may, in our sole discretion, analyze the use of your account to determine compliance with this Agreement. If we determine that you have violated this Agreement, we may limit or terminate access to the Service and/or take any other steps as permitted by this Agreement (including those set forth in Section 6 of this Agreement).
You will be responsible for any use of your account by your household, including compliance with this section.
It doesn’t seem all that likely that Disney+ would actually terminate a user for password-sharing, but now it can’t say it didn’t warn you.
When Will Disney+’s Password Sharing Crackdown Begin?
For most Canadian users, these changes in password-sharing policies will come into effect on November 1. This will correspond with the launch of Disney+’s ad-supported tiers in Canada. While its not clear if Disney will immediately enforce the password policy, it is clearly making sure users know it intends to at some point. For now, Disney+ has not shared any options to add other users to an account or to easily separate profiles from one account into a new account. We guess we’ll see how seriously Disney+ will take this new initiative.