Hulu has joined the ranks of streaming giants like Disney Plus and Netflix in the battle against password sharing. The streaming service recently updated its Terms of Service, signaling a crackdown on users sharing passwords outside of their primary residence. Subscribers have been notified that compliance with the new policy is required by March 14th, 2024.
The move follows a trend in the industry, with Netflix’s success in boosting signups after implementing similar measures and Disney Plus initiating its own password sharing crackdown. As Disney inches closer to owning Hulu, and with the integration of the two platforms underway, it’s not surprising that Hulu is taking steps to secure its user base.
The revised Terms of Service explicitly state that account sharing is restricted to the primary personal residence, defining “household” as the collection of devices associated with the subscriber’s main dwelling. Additional usage rules may apply based on the service tier. The company reserves the right to analyze account usage to ensure compliance, and violations may result in access limitations or termination.
Hulu subscribers have begun receiving emails detailing the changes, emphasizing the limitations on sharing accounts outside the household. While the communication doesn’t specify the metrics for measuring compliance or the speed of enforcement, it highlights Hulu’s authority to analyze account usage and take necessary actions.
The new Terms of Service, effective from January 25th, 2024, mark a clear stance against password sharing, a topic not previously addressed in earlier versions of the Terms. Although the ToS mentions referring to the Hulu Help Center for additional information, there are currently no help articles available on account sharing policies. Subscribers are urged to review the updated terms to ensure compliance and avoid potential disruptions in service.