If in this day and age you have an internet connection or own a TV, then it is guaranteed you know all about Disney. It’s the owner of several theme parks, creator of countless hit movies and animated features, and its merchandise can be found in almost every household in the country. Now, the colossal multi-media group is looking to direct its massive audience to a brand new center of Disney content. Disney+ is the corporation’s take on streaming and aims to compete with other popular video-streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon. They have Pixar for fans of animation, Marvel for superhero enthusiasts, the entire Star Wars franchise for Jedis-in-training, and National Geographic for nature lovers. These brands are what distinguish Disney+ from its competitors and what Disney expects will bring in its audience as it claims to have something for everyone. They boasted that within three days of their November 12th release, Disney+ had already crossed 10 million subscribers. However, their successful launch wasn’t without its difficulties.
Some Disney+ customers have been having trouble logging into their accounts, claiming on various platforms, including social media, that their accounts have been hacked. According to multiple investigations, hackers have stolen and gained access to thousands of accounts. It is also reported that Disney+ accounts were being sold for $3-$11 and that once they were handed over, the username and password of the accounts were changed, completely locking the owners of the account out. Disney said in a statement to CNN that there is “no indication of a security breach on Disney+” and that it takes “users’ data very seriously.” But, if your account has been compromised or you want to keep your own account safe, there are several methods you can use.
It is highly recommended that you change your password for your account every couple of months in order to prevent it from being leaked. It is surprising how easy many passwords are to guess. A lot of people use the same password for almost all of their accounts across the internet which turns one “hacked” incident into many very easily.
Another really common way people get their accounts stolen is by sharing them with other friends and family. Many share their accounts and split the cost of monthly subscriptions or even just to get paid services for free. Freshman James Schultz is among those and shares his friend’s Netflix and Disney+ accounts. “It’s just easier than getting my own, plus I get to save some money. It’s a win-win and I have nothing to lose” says Schultz on why he shares accounts. Most account-sharing situations are very similar if not the same as Schultz’s.
As of now, Disney knows that account sharing and theft is going on and is not going to act on it despite their claims that the service hasn’t been compromised. The major success at launch is expected to be followed by much more after Disney’s announcement of their 2020 lineup of originals and new movies including the live-action Aladdin and season 2 of The Mandalorian.
This reporter graduated in 2020.
Irfan Khasru is a senior at Washington High School. Born and raised in Fremont, this is his first year writing as a reporter for the Hatchet. He is particularly interested on writing about the entertainment industry and the local food scene. You will usually find him online playing video games, at home trying to sneak a nap in, or expertly crafting smoothies at Jamba Juice.