IMDb.com creating accounts without consent via Amazon
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Summary
[edit | edit source]IMDb.com creates accounts based on Amazon account information when visiting their site. This creates a situation which a user of Amazon will either have their account information shared with IMDb.com perpetually without positive affirmation or any user consent - or alternatively - if you log into IMDb.com to delete your account you are forced to agree to the terms of service you not agreed to in the first place. This side steps any control over personal information that a user would otherwise assume to have, and creates a precedent where account managers decide how user's data is handled outside of the user's affirmative control.
Background
[edit | edit source]IMDb was acquired by Amazon on April 24, 1998.[1] IMDB is a website that provides information about movies, shows, and cast members. In addition they track where films are viewable, such as on their website, Prime video, among other apps. Amazon is a digital market place that provides a wide array of products and services. One being Prime Video, which is currently being offered with Amazon Prime accounts.
Side-stepping user consent to creating accounts
[edit | edit source]As early as 2026, IMDb has been creating accounts for users of Amazon Prime, or other Amazon related accounts (such as Amazon Associates) without any user affirmation nor notice from Amazon.[2] To do so, it appears all you need do is visit IMDb while logged into Amazon, or an account associated with Amazon such as Google Chrome logged into a Gmail account which is also a Prime member. IMDb is not shown to be related to Prime Accounts when signing up for Amazon Prime, nor is IMDb account information readily available from the Prime Account Management page. This means to delete your account with IMDb, you must positively affirm agreement with their terms of service, or be subject to their terms of service anyways. Because it is not directly the same agreement as with Amazon Prime - this side steps user consent and forces a contractual agreement that is inherently unequal and nonconsensual.
There is currently no way to delete or request deletion of the account through Amazon once opened. Amazon help services as of July 2026 is an AI chat box that refuses to acknowledge IMDb accounts, IMDb information, or route Prime members to a service agent to help explain where in the terms of service it was agreed to. To delete this account, you much go back to IMDB (of which you are still logged in, WITHOUT having agreed to any terms), and on the account settings page is a DELETE ACCOUNT button. You will receive another email to verify you want to delete the account.
Potential ramifications of this practice could see any account managing services erode user choice and control by side stepping positive affirmation for data collection and sharing cross platform and websites.
IMDb's response
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The proposed solution in response to an unwanted IMDb account is to sign in with the IMDb account - accepting the terms of service - and then deleting the account. Or, the direct response to a user complaint was to switch to a different IMDb account, ignoring their confusion.[3] It is possible to delete the account from inside the account, since you are already automatically signed in. You need to delete it from the IMDB account page, not the Amazon account page.
Lawsuit
[edit | edit source]No known lawsuit.
Consumer response
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Prevailing sentiment is that it is best to avoid clicking on IMDb's links while logged in to any Amazon property. Others find it odd that the account is sectioned off until you visit the site, and that for 28 years the two accounts have remained independent until recently automating account creation with separate terms of service outside of user control.
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ Karlinsky, Malia (2023-05-08). "I'm the CEO of IMDb. Here's the one thing I tell every new hire". AmazonNews. Retrieved 2026-07-18.
- ↑ "IMDb.com arbitrarily created a new account for me". IMDb. 6 May 2026. Archived from the original on 29 Aug 2026. Retrieved 10 July 2026.
- ↑ "IMDb Single Sign-On with Amazon". help.imdb.com. 28 May 2026. Archived from the original on 1 Sep 2026. Retrieved 7 July 2026.