Disney+Hotstar, inspired by Netflix’s actions, is set to ban password sharing among users in Canada starting from November 1. While this move aims to protect the integrity of user accounts, it comes with specific guidelines and potential penalties for those who violate the new rules.
Details of Disney+Hotstar’s Password Sharing Policy
Disney Plus recently notified its Canadian subscribers via email that it will soon implement restrictions on password sharing. However, the email did not provide specific details about the enforcement mechanisms. What it did make clear is that password sharing will only be permitted among individuals living in the same household.
This means that sharing your Disney+Hotstar account with someone who doesn’t reside in your primary personal residence will be prohibited. Users who wish to include non-household members on their accounts will have the option to switch to a cheaper, ad-supported tier of the service.
Precise Definitions and Penalties
The new service agreement for Canada, as outlined by Disney Plus, defines a “household” as the collection of devices associated with your primary personal residence that are used by individuals residing therein. This definition clarifies that sharing should be restricted to those living under the same roof.
Penalties for violating the password-sharing policy have not been explicitly detailed. However, Disney+Hotstar’s forthcoming rules are expected to be universally applied, with potential exceptions based on the user’s specific service tier.
Following Netflix’s Lead
Disney+Hotstar’s move to curtail password sharing follows in the footsteps of Netflix, which implemented similar measures in the United States and various other countries. Netflix introduced an additional charge of $8 per extra person, per month, as part of its efforts to limit password sharing.
In both Disney+Hotstar and Netflix’s cases, the term “household” refers to the collection of devices associated with your primary personal residence and used by the residents of that residence. This clearly indicates that sharing accounts with individuals outside of your household will no longer be allowed.
