In November, Warner Bros. Discovery Chief Financial Officer Gunnar Wiedenfels confirmed that HBO Max would soon start addressing password sharing. This move wasn’t surprising, as competitors like Netflix and Disney+ have already implemented such policies.
Wiedenfels announced that HBO Max would gradually reduce password sharing, initiating with “very soft messaging” over the coming months and intensifying the approach into 2025 and 2026. Some users have already received these warnings if their accounts have been flagged.
HBO Max’s “gentle, early messaging” began in December, targeting users believed to be sharing passwords in a higher usage tier. The company used collected data to identify accounts with potential sharing activity, especially when accessed from multiple devices outside a household.
The end of the “gentle messaging phase” appears near. During a recent earnings call, JB Perrette, CEO and President of Global Streaming and Games for Warner Bros. Discovery, announced that messaging would become “aggressive.” The company now feels confident enough to distinguish legitimate account holders from others, suggesting that some users may soon be blocked from accounts they aren’t paying for directly.
Perrette anticipates that by Q4, the crackdown on password sharing will become more aggressive, continuing into 2026. Current password sharers outside a household should make the most of this time.
Regarding potential workarounds, HBO Max hasn’t started locking users out if they log in from outside a household, but being prepared is advisable. Although specifics aren’t disclosed, HBO Max may adopt a strategy similar to Netflix’s. Netflix designates the device used to access accounts as the “household” and allows devices logged in via household Wi-Fi without issue. Mobile devices, however, may access accounts outside the household if used at least once on the household Wi-Fi in the past 30 days.
While one can’t be certain, HBO Max might use a similar protocol. If you share passwords with nearby friends or family whom you visit often, you might not face challenges. However, if you’re using a password from someone far away, it might be time to get your own account.