Disney+ fights account sharing: new streaming rules from summer

Disney plans strict regulation against so-called account sharing, that is, when multiple people share a user account. Disney boss Bob Iger had already announced this step in August 2023. Disney CFO Hugh Johnston has now stated that the company plans to take active action against such users starting this summer. This is reported by the IT magazine ‘heise online’.

By restricting account sharing, the company hopes to generate additional subscriptions and higher revenue. Netflix has already done it successfully – with 5.9 million new subscriptions in the second quarter of 2023.

And similar to what has been possible there since May, Disney+ subscribers should also have the option to add other users for an additional fee. It has not yet been said exactly how much additional members will cost. But it will probably be as expensive as Netflix: up to two additional people can be added per account for five euros each.

Regardless, sharing the account outside your own household was never allowed under the Disney+ User Agreement. It used to say: “Your contractual right of use does not give you the right to do the following: […] Share your login details with third parties or share your Disney+ account with third parties […].»

The terms of use for German customers were also changed in October. It has since said: “Unless otherwise permitted by your subscription options, you may not share your Disney+ account with anyone outside your household.” A household is then defined as a private main residence.

It’s still unclear how strict Disney plans to crack down on account sharing in the future. However, you are unlikely to get into legal trouble if you continue to share your login details with others. However, accounts can be restricted or even blocked if suspicious activity is spotted.