Disney Plus Password Sharing: The Ultimate Guide

Introduction

In late 2023, Disney Plus announced its intention to follow Netflix’s footsteps by restricting password sharing. This policy will affect users in Canada, the US, and the UK, and will take effect in September 2024. This blog post provides a comprehensive analysis of the new password sharing rules, exploring the details, implications, and potential loopholes.

Disney Plus Password Sharing Rules

According to the updated Disney Plus user agreement, “Unless otherwise permitted by your Service Tier, you may not share your subscription outside of your household. ‘Household’ means the collection of devices associated with your primary personal residence that are used by the individuals who reside therein.”

Currently, no service tier explicitly permits subscription sharing. However, it is anticipated that a new “Extra Member” feature will be introduced, allowing users to extend their subscriptions to individuals outside their household for an additional fee.

Enforcement of Password Sharing Rules

Disney Plus is expected to employ various methods to detect and prevent password sharing, including location information, device identification, and IP address ranges. If the system detects that a user is accessing the service from a different location than their primary residence, they may be prompted to sign up for a separate subscription.

Consequences of Password Sharing Violations

Disney Plus reserves the right to take action against users who violate its password sharing rules. This action may include account restrictions, temporary suspensions, or even termination of the account.

Charging for Password Sharing

Unlike Netflix, Disney Plus has not yet announced any plans to charge for password sharing. However, it is widely expected that the upcoming “Extra Member” feature will come with an additional cost.

Impact on Existing Subscribers

The new password sharing rules apply to all existing Disney Plus subscribers, regardless of whether they signed up directly or through a third party. Subscribers who currently share their accounts with individuals outside their household will need to make alternative arrangements when the new rules take effect.

Exceptions for Travel and Work

The Disney Plus help center suggests that users will be permitted to access their accounts while travelling or on work trips. However, the specific details of these exceptions have not been fully outlined.

Use of VPNs

Using a VPN to bypass Disney Plus’s password sharing restrictions is not recommended. VPNs are against the Disney Plus terms of service, and the service actively blocks IP addresses associated with known VPN networks.

Conclusion

The upcoming Disney Plus password sharing restrictions will have a significant impact on users who share their accounts with individuals outside their household. Disney Plus has yet to provide full details about the “Extra Member” feature and its associated costs, but it is expected that this feature will be introduced prior to the September 2024 enforcement date. Users who currently rely on password sharing to access Disney Plus will need to prepare for the changes that are on the horizon.