Netflix has managed to annoy a good number of its users with an announcement about an upcoming update to its Windows 11 (and Windows 10) app: support for adverts and live events will be added, but the ability to download content is being taken away.

Netflix must realize that it’s a huge frustration for people who relied on offline downloads to watch content without internet access: on planes, trains, and campsites, and anywhere else where Wi-Fi is unavailable or unreliable.

There’s a small chance that Netflix will change its mind if it gets enough complaints, but the streaming service seems determined to add as many money-making features as possible, while taking away genuinely useful ones.

  • @[email protected]
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    454 months ago

    Well that’s mighty selfish of you isn’t it, won’t you think of the Microsoft shareholder who want to make more money from harvesting your data and Netflix for wanting to serve you ads to increase profits.

    • @[email protected]
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      19
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      4 months ago

      Microsoft doesn’t care if you use the app or the browser

      You’re still on their OS

      • @ArtVandelay
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        184 months ago

        I’m certainly no desktop developer, but I would imagine a native application gives you access to more intrusive data than a browser, especially considering modern browser protections. Just a theory though

        • @[email protected]
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          44 months ago

          They could keylog everything or screenshot every x seconds and send it to them if they wanted

          Log all network requests

          The app is most likely electron which is just Chromium

      • @UnderpantsWeevil
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        04 months ago

        You’d never know it the way they try to make every Microsoft branded app the default