Though streaming services say your purchases can be viewed forever, their terms and conditions fine print includes provisions allowing them to withdraw or limit access to the content
Users of Australia’s Telstra TV Box Office were disappointed when the service for buying digital content announced its closure recently, causing them to lose access to all their purchases unless they switched to a different service.
The problem highlights the fragility of digital ownership in the age of streaming.
In the era of VHS, DVD and Blu-Ray, purchasing a movie, game or series meant one could view them indefinitely or as long as they were playable. The same rule doesn’t apply to OTT platforms.
With streaming, ownership of the product bought lies in the hands of the service provider rather than the consumer.
Though streaming services say that your purchases will be there forever, the fine print includes provisions allowing them to withdraw or limit access to the content.
It’s a common practice seen in clauses for services like Amazon Prime and Apple’s iTunes, says the Guardian.
Not just entertainment streaming
Game developer Ubisoft shut down its decade-old online racing game The Crew in March, enraging fans who bought it.
What can be done?
Experts suggest OTTs could give clearer disclosure of terms and conditions to people purchasing movies and series through them. There’s a need for transparency in digital content transactions to protect consumer rights.
Additionally, purchasing physical copies remains a reliable option, as long as one maintains a device to play it on.