Netflix kills Christmas cheer by calling out viewers — but is it snooping on our habits?
Netflix has been forced to defend a tweet from its US account, making fun of people who’d watched a Christmas film multiple days in a row.
On Monday, the firm called out the 53 people who’d watched the Netflix Original movie A Christmas Prince every day for 18 days.
In the tweet a social media employee condescendingly asked: “Who hurt you?”
To the 53 people who've watched A Christmas Prince every day for the past 18 days: Who hurt you?
— Netflix US (@netflix) December 11, 2017
The snide tone of the tweet sparked a backlash from the company’s followers and also raised concerns about Netflix’s viewer tracking habits. Others found the funny side.
Netflix sent the police to my house because I watched Adam Sandler's Jack and Jill just once
— BURNS (@TheSteveBurnio) December 12, 2017
Can’t say this is definitely the case here but lots of people with learning disabilities engage with pop culture in ways you don’t necessarily understand. Cool also to publicly drag your customers for enjoying something you provide and they pay for, real nice!!! https://t.co/aGL8Dn7Y9j
— Kate Solomon (@katiesol) December 12, 2017
Not funny, not charming, not clever. Whoever you are – writing for @netflix – you’re about to lose your job.
— Lean.Legal (@Johnson_DavidW) December 11, 2017
Some questions for reporters to ask Netflix:
—How many employees have access to people's viewing habits?
—Are there any controls on how they can access this data/what it can be used for?
—What's the punishment for creeping on people?
—Why are they publicly shaming customers? https://t.co/bnouaaGnZC— Trevor Timm (@trevortimm) December 11, 2017
In a statement released on Tuesday, a Netflix spokesperson claimed the company was not ridiculing individuals for their viewing habits.
Related: How to find 4K content on Netflix
“This information represents overall viewing trends, not the personal viewing information of specific, identified individuals,” said a representative (via BBC).
However, yesterday Netflix revealed one user in the country watched Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King 361 times during 2017 (via Vice). The company said another subscriber watched Pirates of the Caribbean 365 times during the last year.
Netflix isn’t alone in these habits, Spotify was criticised for using similar data points for its advertising campaigns.
“Be as loving as the person who put 48 Ed Sheeran songs on their ‘I love gingers’ playlist,” the firm wrote on billboards.
Do you have a problem with Netflix’s tweet? Or is it just a little harmless fun? Drop us a line @TrustedReviews on Twitter