Disney+ started being strict about sharing passwords in Canada last year, and now it extends the restriction to the United States. According to The edge, the streaming service is sending emails to its subscribers in the country, informing them of a change in its terms of service. Its service agreement now states that users cannot share their passwords outside of their household “unless otherwise permitted by (their) service level”, suggesting new subscription options coming in the future.
The edge says Disney+ has told subscribers they can analyze their account usage to “determine compliance,” though it hasn’t specified how exactly its methods work. “We are adding limitations on sharing your account outside of your household and explaining how we can assess your compliance with these limitations,” Disney+ reportedly wrote in its email. In its service agreement, the service describes “household” as “all devices associated with (subscribers') primary personal residence that are used by the persons residing there.” The rule already applies to new subscribers, but existing subscribers have until March 14 to feel the effects.
Disney's other streaming service, Hulu, also recently announcement that it represses the sharing of passwords outside the subscriber's “primary personal residence”. It used the same language in its warning to users, also telling them that their accounts will be scanned for compliance and that it will begin enforcing the new rule on March 14.