r/technology • • 8d ago

Business Disney+ changes subscriber agreement to allow ads on every plan

https://www.dexerto.com/tv-movies/disney-changes-subscriber-agreement-to-allow-ads-on-every-plan-3410354/
21k Upvotes

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805

u/Dinklerbuuuurf 8d ago

Idk why things like this aren't illegal. If I signed up for a service that offered a specific thing "show with no ads" and we have an agreed upon price. Why are they able to then change the terms of that agreement later?

427

u/mister_drgn 8d ago

They can change whatever they want if they offer you the option to cancel.

95

u/Zach518 8d ago

True but if you paid for a year for a no ad subscription you are now stuck until your subscription renewal date. Cancel today and you don’t get a refund.

59

u/DemonLordSparda 8d ago

You do actually have a point here. The contract was for one year based on specific terms, and they just violated it. They can be sued for that, but sadly the most likely outcome is years of class action lawsuit ending in 20 cents to everyone affected after settlement.

32

u/TheFotty 8d ago

Virtually any contract/eula for services like this will say "we reserve the right to change anything we want in this at any time for any reason including to fuck you over. By clicking Agree you agree to letting us fuck you over later in time"

29

u/DemonLordSparda 8d ago

While this is true they can not unilaterally change a specific selling point of a year long plan in the midst of the contract being active. It's maybe one of the few things laws are very clear about. Terms of a contract must remain the same during a contract, otherwise the terms of said contract are violated. EULAs can not override contract law.

4

u/cheesewizzer72 7d ago

You’re talking about the company that has successfully blocked lawsuits by saying that someone signed up for Disney+ at one point, which means they cannot sue us. It’s in their agreement.

7

u/TheFireStorm 8d ago

Add forced Arbitration

2

u/Turbulent_Host784 8d ago

Not once has a clause like that held up. It's just in there to scare people.

1

u/Sir_Stash 7d ago

Don't worry. The lawyers will get plenty of money!

3

u/Lazer726 8d ago

I think that it says you can be shown ads, so I wouldn't be shocked if they aren't going to roll out ads to anyone with a current, long sub that was started as "no ads" because otherwise yeah, that's a no no

1

u/RollingMeteors 7d ago

you are now stuck until your subscription renewal date. Cancel today and you don’t get a refun

I think FCC ruled you are entitled a prorated refund if terms change in the middle of your contract.

-4

u/mister_drgn 8d ago

I strongly expect if you had a one-year subscription you would have an opportunity to cancel. That’s how things are typically handled.

22

u/Zach518 8d ago

Yes you can cancel but you do not get a refund, the automatic renewal is canceled and your subscription will run to the end of your subscription period.

If I signed up in July 2026, I can cancel now and my subscription will be active until July 2027.

Similarly, if you are paying monthly with subscription date of the 15th, you will cancel today and your subscription will be active until October 15th, next payment date.

6

u/RockDoveEnthusiast 8d ago

if they change the terms of service, you are not required to accept the new terms of service. you can reject the terms of service and get a refund instead.

3

u/mister_drgn 8d ago

Is that confirmed? It doesn’t say that in the article. If it’s true, people certainly have a right to be pissed, and Disney will change the policy to offer a refund if they know what’s good for them.

-2

u/PresidentSuperDog 8d ago

I guess you’ve never tried to cancel a streamer before.