Disney+ Hotstar, a popular streaming service, is reportedly planning to implement a new policy to address password sharing among its premium users in India.
According to a recent report from Reuters, the company intends to limit the number of devices allowed to log in with a premium account to a maximum of four. This decision comes in an effort to curb the widespread practice of password sharing and to encourage individual subscriptions.
This decision follows in the footsteps of Netflix, which recently rolled out a similar crackdown on password sharing globally, including India. Previously, Disney+ Hotstar’s premium accounts allowed logins on up to 10 devices, but the new policy will restrict it to four. Even the cheaper plan will limit usage across two devices.
Disney had initially hoped that being lenient with the login policy would attract more subscribers who would eventually purchase their own accounts. However, internal testing revealed that only around 5% of premium subscribers logged in from more than four devices.
By enforcing this new policy, Disney+ Hotstar aims to strike a balance between curbing password sharing and providing a convenient experience for its premium users. We should get more information about this officially in the coming months.