iWorld
Password sharing costs US streamers $25 bn every year, report says
KOLKATA: Several reports suggested recently that Netflix is testing a feature to curb widespread password sharing. It makes sense for the streaming giant, as it is losing about $6.2 billion each year due to the prevailing trend of multiple unauthorised people using the same account. Overall, the issue has led to a loss of $25 billion for US streaming platforms.
According to media reports, Citi Global Markets analyst Jason Bazinet said in a note it is going to be an important issue for HBO Max, Disney+, Peacock, Spotify as well. “As streaming services move to center stage, thwarting this theft will be of growing importance for shareholders,” he wrote.
Research firm Magid recently said that Netflix could significantly increase its slow domestic subscription growth by cracking down on password sharing. It also added that 33 per cent of US SVoD subscribers share passwords.
Recently, another research note from Bank of America also said that a significant portion of users share their passwords with non-subscribers. Hence, an attempt to curb the practice will be definitely helpful.
“In our streaming survey, we asked a pool of Netflix subs if they shared the service with another household…and 26 per cent said they did, and 50 per cent of these said it was shared with family in multiple locations,” it added.
Last week, reports emerged that Netflix is in the process of trialling a crackdown on ineligible users who access the streamer's content through password sharing. Some users have reported seeing a screen saying, "If you don't live with the owner of this account, you need your own account to keep watching." Studies over the years have estimated that the number of password freeloaders on Netflix number in the millions.
"This test is designed to help ensure that people using Netflix accounts are authorised to do so," the BBC quoted a Netflix spokesperson as saying.
iWorld
Mark Zuckerberg’s sharp advice on employee retention goes viral
“Treat your employees right, so they won’t use your Internet to search for a new job.”
MUMBAI: When your employees start browsing job sites on company Wi-Fi, it might be time to check the office culture not the bandwidth. A candid one-liner from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is making waves once again for its blunt take on modern workplaces and the challenge of keeping talent happy.
“Treat your employees right, so they won’t use your Internet to search for a new job,” Zuckerberg reportedly said. While delivered with a light touch, the remark highlights a serious shift in today’s job market with opportunities just a few clicks away, employee dissatisfaction can quickly turn into quiet job hunting.
The comment comes amid widespread restructuring, automation, and layoffs across industries, which have added to employee uncertainty. According to Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace 2025 report, half of employees worldwide are actively looking for new jobs, pointing to deep levels of disengagement.
At its heart, Zuckerberg’s observation delivers a simple truth: employees who feel respected, supported, and valued are far less likely to start scrolling through LinkedIn during work hours. Today’s workforce increasingly prioritises factors beyond salary such as work culture, flexibility, growth opportunities, and recognition. When these are missing, disengagement builds silently.
The quote also reflects how job searches have become discreet. Many employees continue working normally while quietly exploring other options, making it harder for companies to spot early warning signs of attrition.
Zuckerberg’s remark serves as a timely reminder that retaining talent is no longer just about preventing exits, it’s about creating an environment where people genuinely don’t feel the need to leave.
In an era where the next opportunity is only a tab away, smart companies are realising that the best retention strategy might just be treating people so well that they never feel tempted to look elsewhere.
