Netflix stream-quality controversy: Difference between revisions

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= 4K plan doesn't provide a 4k resolution stream=

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; 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>. 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<ref>[[:File:Netflix signup page- choose plan bottom of page.png]]</ref>. 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 for customers that may expect 4K content and not understand why they are not receiving it.

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.

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 = 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; 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>. 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<ref>[[:File:Netflix signup page- choose plan bottom of page.png]]</ref>. 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 for customers that may expect 4K content and not understand why they are not receiving it.
 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.