Friday Flight - Money in the Bank, Student Loan Forgiveness Taxes, & Streaming Password Sharing Clampdown Begins #333

Password Sharing

Streaming services like Netflix are tightening their grip on password sharing, a move that could impact many users. Matt Altmix explains that Netflix, which previously allowed users to share accounts with family and friends, is now prompting users to create their own accounts if they are detected using someone else's credentials. This change is likely to increase streaming costs for users who previously shared subscriptions across multiple platforms 1.

If you are using someone else's account and you're prompted to create your own, think about it for a minute before you just automatically say, all right, I guess I have to pay for it now.

--- Joel Larsgaard

As streaming services seek to boost revenue, users are encouraged to reconsider their subscriptions and possibly eliminate some services altogether 1.

   

Library Restrictions

Amazon's decision to restrict ebook and audiobook availability for libraries has sparked frustration among users. Joel Larsgaard highlights that Amazon is withholding titles it publishes from library apps like Libby, forcing users to purchase them directly from Amazon 2. This move is puzzling, especially since libraries typically pay more for these digital copies than individual consumers do.

Amazon doesn't think that libraries deserve these works. They're hanging onto those, not allowing libraries to get those works via something like Libby.

--- Matt Altmix

The restriction could lead to a backlash against Amazon, as it limits access to popular titles and undermines the role of libraries in providing free access to literature 2.