Popular streaming services, Disney+ and Hulu, joined the bandwagon of prohibiting password-sharing as early as March 14 after Netflix successfully executed the policy.

In December 2023, Netflix introduced the idea of prohibiting password sharing, excluding family and friends from using a singular account from different addresses. During May 2023, Netflix launched the termination of password sharing, boosting original costs by $8 per password-sharing household. 

Users were outraged by this discovery, using social media platforms to speak against the policy and digging up an old tweet from Netflix themselves, praising the idea of password sharing. In March of 2017, Netflix tweeted “Love is sharing a password” insinuating that password sharing was beneficial and even represented loving someone. With such a drastic change, users are unsure about continuing to use the streaming service. 

Disney+ and Hulu implementing a restriction against password sharing only infuriates users, adding more pressure onto college students. “As working class students, we already worry about how much money we spend, what we spend it on, our tuition. We really don’t know what is going to happen next year. Am I going to have to take out another loan?” SUNY Oswego student Aniyah Anthony said.

Streaming services are supposed to be used during a time of relaxation, but how can college students utilize these services when the prices are constantly surging?

The influx of streaming services cracking down on their policies has not been surprising given the financial benefits it poses for their revenue. Sticking to such policies increases user loyalty but above all, such restrictions make it much harder for the financial survival of college students. SUNY Oswego student Soniyah Louis, said that she does not feel the familiarity with streaming services that she once has.  “They aren’t thinking about the people, they’re thinking about their money,” said Louis.

Beyond all the outrage behind the streaming services canceling password sharing, there is a broad sense of curiosity about what these changes mean. How far are streaming services willing to go and who will get caught in the crossfire?

Not only is this a huge disadvantage for college students, but lower income citizens. The pricing of cable is too high for middle and working class citizens to maintain. With streaming services increasing their pricing, entertainment might be limited. When workers are looking forward to winding down after a long day, they will not be able to clear their minds with their favorite movie or TV. As well as that, families who find joy connecting through TV shows or movies will not be able to share their joy through streaming services. 

When looking towards the future, we can only hope that streaming services can appeal to customers’ desires without overcharging. If not, the usage of illegally supported streaming could be on the rise, making it harder for streaming services to produce content that win their customers back.

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