US-based streaming service Netflix has recently launched a new feature in India that restricts users from sharing their account passwords. Following in Netflix’s footsteps, Disney+ Hotstar is also reportedly planning to introduce a similar policy to address password sharing among its premium users in India.
According to Reuters, Disney+ Hotstar aims to limit the number of devices that can access a premium account to a maximum of four. This change is intended to tackle the issue of password sharing and encourage individual subscriptions.
The streaming platform is currently conducting internal tests for this new enforcement policy and plans to implement it later this year. Initially, Disney adopted a more lenient approach to login policies in hopes of attracting more subscribers, with the expectation that they would eventually transition to their own individual accounts. However, internal testing revealed that only around 5% of premium subscribers logged in from more than four devices.
Netflix has also taken stricter measures to combat account and password sharing in India, as part of its global initiative to address this problem and discourage users from sharing their login credentials with non-household members. In India, Netflix is now notifying members via email if they are found to be sharing their accounts with individuals outside their household.
A Netflix household refers to a collection of internet-connected devices used to access Netflix content at the primary viewing location. To establish a Netflix household, users can connect their TV and any other devices sharing the same internet connection, automatically including them in the Household.
