Do YOU share passwords for subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) services? Is it ethical to do so? This practice does cost the subscription providers worldwide several billions of dollars in lost revenues.
“Password sharing for subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) services might be more common than you think. According to an August 2017 study from Morning Consult, 37% of US internet users share their password for at least one streaming service account, usually Netflix. The study found that 85% of respondents who shared passwords were handing over login information for their Netflix account.”
“Netflix was probably the most shared service because it remains the most popular. eMarketer predicts Netflix will have almost 142 million US viewers in 2021, representing 67.5% of over-the-top (OTT) video service users. That places it ahead of other SVOD services in both the number of viewers and share of market.”
This article delivers an established debate that unveils whether or not sharing SVOD passwords/accounts is ethically the right thing to do, but according to this research the actions of certain age groups reveal a greater deal of information. Despite less people at the ages of 65 and above than those from 18 to 29 sharing SVOD passwords, this could mean that less people as they get older are using Netflix, etc. as a form of entertainment; they would have other means than Amazon Prime, Netflix, or Spotify to use such as cable television. However, it could also deliver a clear message that as age increases, people gain a greater sense of morality on what may be considered the right thing to do.
What would YOU do? 🙂
I think it is okay to share SVOD passwords. I personally share my Netflix password with my friends and family! Netflix allows 4 people to use an account at once so I don’t see why not!
In my opinion, I think it is okay to share passwords for these kinds of services because if you pay for the service you should have the right to do what you want with it. If I bought a DVD, I have the right to lend it to a friend, so I do not see the difference in Netflix. If I pay for my account, I should have the right to share it with a friend.
The answer to the article in my opinion is that it is okay to share passwords for subscription video on demand. Whoever purchased the subscription has the right to do whatever they please with it even if it includes sharing with a friend. Unless companies something to limit password sharing, I do not see why it would be unethical to share something you purchased.
Password sharing is actually quite common and I think that it is okay to do so. If a person is paying for a certain service, I believe that they have the right to share that service if they choose to do so. For example, if someone is paying for a certain Netflix account, they should have the right to share the password for that account with the rest of their family as well as with their friends.
I do share my Netflix password with friends as well as use others hulu and other services. This may not be ethical however we are paying for this service that costs a ridiculous amount when most services do not have all the shows you would like. Therefore exchanging and sharing I think can create just as much in made up revenue in the sense that word of mouth of who has what can create buzz and more individuals who don’t share logins for that specific service may go out and join. We should be able to share our passwords with our friends and family.
I believe that people should not share their SVOD passwords, especially when it comes to paid subscriptions. This is because it is extremely unethical for people to take advantage and go around systems, such as Netflix. Personally, I would not share any passwords with my friends because I am paying for the service out of my own pocket.
I do share my Netflix/Hulu passwords, but only to get my money’s worth. I do not always have time to use the services I am paying for every month, but I continue paying for them anyway incase i do find the time. If someone else can get the use out of the service that I am not currently using, but will in the future, it is fine with me in order to keep my subscription.
I think it varies by situation in the case of account sharing for Netflix. If there is a family plan that allows multiple users, then I think that if one person isn’t using the service then it is okay to share the account information. Especially since someone is paying for it, then it should be used. But from a business perspective, it is unethical to share it when there is a single account. If there was a way that Netflix could control that then they might lose more members. So it might not even be worth it for them.