Netflix stream-quality controversy: Difference between revisions
added citation neededs in a few places, and removed summary section which simply serves to repeat information in a non-neutral tone. Much of this content was also quite editorialised: remember that incident articles serve to collate information, not to make judgements using this information. Also, avoid referring to the reader as 'you' - the reader should not br directly referred to. |
Added some comments, and changed "your" to "the user's" throughout - except in quotations from netflix. |
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= 4K plan doesn't provide a 4k resolution stream = | = 4K plan doesn't provide a 4k resolution stream<!-- A number of statements here currently made in the voice of the wiki should really be sourced, maybe referencing Louis' video? Using phrases like 'consumer rights activists believe this amounts to...' that kind of thing, while citing to Louis' video or any other reasonable sources -->= | ||
Netflix imposes restrictions on accessing 4K streaming and does not fully disclose the conditions under which these restrictions apply{{Citation needed}}. When new users sign up, Netflix defaults them to the 4K premium plan, without clearly informing them of the intentional limitations on accessing 4K content. If users were aware of these limitations, they might choose not to subscribe to the more expensive plan that Netflix defaults to; however, this information is not provided upfront. This lack of transparency is problematic, as all prerequisites for receiving a 4K stream are not listed in the terms of use<ref>https://help.netflix.com/legal/termsofuse</ref>, terms & conditions<ref>https://www.netflix.shop/pages/terms-conditions</ref>, or help page<ref name=":0">https://help.netflix.com/en/node/13444</ref>. | Netflix imposes restrictions on accessing 4K streaming and does not fully disclose the conditions under which these restrictions apply{{Citation needed}}. When new users sign up, Netflix defaults them to the 4K premium plan, without clearly informing them of the intentional limitations on accessing 4K content. If users were aware of these limitations, they might choose not to subscribe to the more expensive plan that Netflix defaults to; however, this information is not provided upfront. This lack of transparency is problematic, as all prerequisites for receiving a 4K stream are not listed in the terms of use<ref>https://help.netflix.com/legal/termsofuse</ref>, terms & conditions<ref>https://www.netflix.shop/pages/terms-conditions</ref>, or help page<ref name=":0">https://help.netflix.com/en/node/13444</ref>. | ||
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Netflix, in their [https://help.netflix.com/legal/termsofuse Terms of Service] (TOS), lists reasons why the quality of its content may vary from different devices, as stated in clause 4.7: "The quality of the display of the Netflix content may vary from device to device, and may be affected by a variety of factors, such as your location, the bandwidth available through and/or speed of your Internet connection." One of the factors not listed is the use of [https://developers.google.com/widevine/drm/overview Widevine], a Digital Rights Management (DRM) software which is embedded into most web browsers such as Chrome, Chromium, Electron (CEF), Firefox, Edge, Opera, Safari, etc. A DRM protects media hosted on Netflix from being screen-captured, with one of the methods using "SECURE_DECODE", which uses Widevine to decode each frame displayed. This method demands more bandwidth, with Netflix appeasing the disparity by decreasing the quality to 720p on web browsers. | Netflix, in their [https://help.netflix.com/legal/termsofuse Terms of Service] (TOS), lists reasons why the quality of its content may vary from different devices, as stated in clause 4.7: "The quality of the display of the Netflix content may vary from device to device, and may be affected by a variety of factors, such as your location, the bandwidth available through and/or speed of your Internet connection." One of the factors not listed is the use of [https://developers.google.com/widevine/drm/overview Widevine], a Digital Rights Management (DRM) software which is embedded into most web browsers such as Chrome, Chromium, Electron (CEF), Firefox, Edge, Opera, Safari, etc. A DRM protects media hosted on Netflix from being screen-captured, with one of the methods using "SECURE_DECODE", which uses Widevine to decode each frame displayed. This method demands more bandwidth, with Netflix appeasing the disparity by decreasing the quality to 720p on web browsers. | ||
Currently, Netflix offers 1080p video resolution on every plan they offer on their [https://help.netflix.com/en/node/24926 Plans and Pricing] for a subscription. Consumers who watch Netflix on web browsers will be paying for 1080p resolution while only receiving 720p resolution maximum due to DRM. The TOS allows Netflix to claim | Currently, Netflix offers 1080p video resolution on every plan they offer on their [https://help.netflix.com/en/node/24926 Plans and Pricing] for a subscription. Consumers who watch Netflix on web browsers will be paying for 1080p resolution while only receiving 720p resolution maximum due to DRM. The TOS allows Netflix to claim the user's device faulty or the user's internet speed slow to justify this behaviour.[[File:Netflix signup page- choose plan bottom of page.png|alt=Netflix signup page: plan choice, bottom of page.|thumb|Netflix signup page: plan choice, bottom of page.]] | ||
[[File:Netflix terms of service covering streaming quality.png|alt=Netflix terms of service covering streaming quality|thumb|Netflix terms of service covering streaming quality]] | [[File:Netflix terms of service covering streaming quality.png|alt=Netflix terms of service covering streaming quality|thumb|Netflix terms of service covering streaming quality]] | ||
The only time | The only time the user is shown the existence of such limitations is in a small font, on the bottom of the page where the user chooses a plan{{Citation needed}}. The 4k HDR option is the default option and has an icon with very appealing colors that draw the user's eyes to this more expensive option, whilst the user must scroll to the bottom to be linked to a document that explains the limitations.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20250111144808/https://help.netflix.com/legal/termsofuse</ref> The explanation provided on this terms of service that must be dug through, is completely inadequate<!-- this claim should not be made in the voice of the wiki | ||
-->. See below: | |||
== 4K content isn't available on the platform even when it exists == | == 4K content isn't available on the platform even when it exists == | ||
Netflix routinely licenses HD content even though 4K HDR is readily available, including for blockbuster movies{{Citation needed}}. This isn't advertised anywhere{{Citation needed}}. | Netflix routinely licenses HD content even though 4K HDR is readily available, including for blockbuster movies{{Citation needed}}. This isn't advertised anywhere{{Citation needed}}. | ||
For example: Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is HD only on Netflix<ref>https://www.netflix.com/title/81602889</ref>, whereas it’s clearly available in UHD on other platforms<ref>https://www.amazon.com/Transformers-Rise-Beasts-Anthony-Ramos/dp/B0BX1MWKHY</ref>, or Blu-ray<ref>https://www.amazon.com/Transformers-Rise-Beasts-4K-UHD/dp/B0C5P5K55N</ref>. | For example: Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is HD only on Netflix<ref>https://www.netflix.com/title/81602889</ref>, whereas it’s clearly available in UHD on other platforms<ref>https://www.amazon.com/Transformers-Rise-Beasts-Anthony-Ramos/dp/B0BX1MWKHY</ref>, or Blu-ray<ref>https://www.amazon.com/Transformers-Rise-Beasts-4K-UHD/dp/B0C5P5K55N</ref>.<!-- We should really find a source which makes this claim, or some way to 'permenantly' make this point. given how frequently streaming licenses are chopped and changed, the example listed here could be outdated within a week. --> | ||
== Terms of Service analysis == | == Terms of Service analysis == | ||
Currently, Netflix offers 1080p video resolution on every plan they offer on their Plans and Pricing for a subscription. Consumers who watch Netflix on web browsers will be paying for 1080p resolution while only receiving 720p resolution maximum, because of DRM. The TOS allows Netflix to claim | Currently, Netflix offers 1080p video resolution on every plan they offer on their Plans and Pricing for a subscription. Consumers who watch Netflix on web browsers will be paying for 1080p resolution while only receiving 720p resolution maximum, because of DRM. The TOS allows Netflix to claim the user's device faulty or the user's internet speed slow to justify this behavior{{Citation needed}}. | ||
Netflix's Terms of Service (TOS) | Netflix's Terms of Service (TOS) describes important information about video-quality limitations in Section 4.7, which states: | ||
<blockquote>4.7. The quality of the display of the Netflix content may vary from device to device, and may be affected by a variety of factors, such as your location, the bandwidth available through and/or speed of your Internet connection. HD, Ultra HD and HDR availability is subject to your Internet service and device capabilities. Not all content is available in all formats, such as HD, Ultra HD or HDR and not all plans allow you to receive content in all formats. The minimum connection speed for HD video quality (defined as a resolution of 720p or higher) is 3.0 Mbps per stream; however, we recommend a faster connection for improved video quality. A connection speed of at least 5.0 Mbps per stream is recommended to receive Full HD video quality (defined as a resolution of 1080p or higher). A connection speed of at least 15.0 Mbps per stream is recommended to receive Ultra HD video quality (defined as a resolution of 4K or higher). You are responsible for all Internet access charges. Please check with your Internet provider for information on possible Internet data usage charges. Netflix makes no representations or warranties about the quality of your watching experience on your display. The time it takes to begin watching Netflix content will vary based on a number of factors, including your location, available bandwidth at the time, the Netflix content you have selected and the configuration of your Netflix ready device.</blockquote> | <blockquote>4.7. The quality of the display of the Netflix content may vary from device to device, and may be affected by a variety of factors, such as your location, the bandwidth available through and/or speed of your Internet connection. HD, Ultra HD and HDR availability is subject to your Internet service and device capabilities. Not all content is available in all formats, such as HD, Ultra HD or HDR and not all plans allow you to receive content in all formats. The minimum connection speed for HD video quality (defined as a resolution of 720p or higher) is 3.0 Mbps per stream; however, we recommend a faster connection for improved video quality. A connection speed of at least 5.0 Mbps per stream is recommended to receive Full HD video quality (defined as a resolution of 1080p or higher). A connection speed of at least 15.0 Mbps per stream is recommended to receive Ultra HD video quality (defined as a resolution of 4K or higher). You are responsible for all Internet access charges. Please check with your Internet provider for information on possible Internet data usage charges. Netflix makes no representations or warranties about the quality of your watching experience on your display. The time it takes to begin watching Netflix content will vary based on a number of factors, including your location, available bandwidth at the time, the Netflix content you have selected and the configuration of your Netflix ready device.</blockquote> | ||
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* '''Mobile Device Limitations''': It mentions HDR might not stream on mobile devices in low power mode. It also addresses limitations like Widevine DRM levels.<ref>https://help.netflix.com/en/node/23939</ref> | * '''Mobile Device Limitations''': It mentions HDR might not stream on mobile devices in low power mode. It also addresses limitations like Widevine DRM levels.<ref>https://help.netflix.com/en/node/23939</ref> | ||
=== 3. Requirements that Netflix does | === 3. Requirements that Netflix does not disclose === | ||
* '''DRM Requirements''': No explicit mention of the need for Widevine L1, PlayReady 3.0, or FairPlay DRM. | * '''DRM Requirements''': No explicit mention of the need for Widevine L1, PlayReady 3.0, or FairPlay DRM. |