Leaders.com
  • Business
  • Leadership
  • Wealth
  • Master Classes
  • Business
    • Entrepreneurs
    • Executives
    • Marketing and Sales
    • Social Media
    • Innovation
    • Women in Business
  • Leadership
    • Personal Growth
    • Company Culture
    • Public Speaking
    • Productivity
    • Hiring
    • Social Issues
    • Leaders
  • Wealth
    • Investing
    • Cryptocurrency
    • Retirement
    • Venture Capital
    • Loans and Borrowing
    • Taxes
    • Markets
    • Real Estate
  • Master Classes
Tech

Major tech companies are beginning to crack down on free features (Guillaume Payen/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

By Tyler Hummel Leaders Staff

Tyler Hummel

Tyler Hummel

Tyler Hummel is a news writer for Leaders Media. He was the Fall 2021 College Fix Fellow and Health Care...

Full bio


Learn about our editorial policy

Jun 28, 2023

End Times For the Free Digital Wild West 

Tech companies once felt confident enough to offer free services and features to allure customers, but now Silicon Valley companies are selling whatever they can sell. 

Key Details

  • After a difficult 2022, Netflix has rolled out anti-password sharing features to crack down on accounts being accessed by multiple people. 
  • Social-media networks Twitter and Facebook have begun rolling out subscriptions and blocking certain features behind paywalls. 
  • Reddit is currently facing a consumer “blackout” protest for changes to how it lets third parties access data, now requiring a charge for developers.

Why It’s Important 

Nothing in life is free, but tech companies have long operated their services with largely free features that allow users to access accounts, profiles, and features without having to pay for them. Facebook, Twitter, and Reddit do not charge for users to create accounts. Many tech companies have thrived on advertising revenues for the past few decades, which has kept the forward-facing aspects of the internet accessible and largely free, with more advanced or professional features for software requiring subscriptions. 

The past year has been rough for the tech industry. Post-COVID lowering of profits and declining consumer spending have resulted in widespread tech layoffs, as companies attempt to tighten their wallets and operate with smaller crews. They’ve also resorted to cutting back on free features. 

These gambits, so far, have proved somewhat successful. Netflix’s experiment with password crackdowns yielded an increase in new subscribers. The company has also controversially embraced advertising on the service, a feature that was once considered anathema for the company’s philosophy, but which CEO Reed Hastings enthusiastically embraced late last year. 

Netflix once permitted widespread password sharing at the height of its profitability and success. When asked in 2016 about a password crackdown, Hastings responded, “We’re doing fine as it is.” 

Those days are now over. 

Other tech companies are beginning to follow suit, with Reddit’s CEO Steve Huffman citing Elon Musk’s aggressive revenue-seeking attempts at Twitter as a positive example for his controversial website changes. 

Shares of Meta Platforms (META) and Netflix (NFLX) have risen sharply over the last six months.

Home / News / End Times For the Free Digital Wild West 
Share
FacebookTweetEmailLinkedIn

Related Stories

Seattle Takes The Crown For Advanced Tech Talent

by PJ Howland Leaders Staff
Tech

Oct 24, 2023

Seattle tech talent

Seattle has emerged as the metro area with the most advanced tech talent, beating out tech hubs like San Francisco and Silicon Valley.

Key Details

  • According to a new ranking by the Burning Glass Institute, Seattle has the highest proportion of advanced tech workers compared to other cities with similarly sized tech workforces.
  • The ranking evaluated 60 million high-paying, in-demand tech job postings and histories to identify cities with cutting-edge roles like AI and cybersecurity rather than legacy tech positions.
  • With tech giants Amazon and Microsoft headquartered in Seattle, the city edged out the San Francisco Bay Area, Boston, Austin, and Raleigh on the list.
  • The report found that demand for software developers and IT support specialists has declined over the past five years as companies seek more specialized tech talent.

Go deeper

FacebookTweetEmailLinkedIn

More Americans Can’t Keep Up With Car Payments

by Colin Baker Leaders Staff
Loans and Borrowing

Oct 23, 2023

car loans, used cars

A record number of Americans are behind on their car loan payments as higher interest rates and prices weigh on consumers.

Key Details

  • According to data from Fitch Ratings, 6.11% of car loans were at least 60 days delinquent in September, the highest since tracking began in the early 2000s.
  • Some interest rates on used cars can rise to as much as 21%, according to Bankrate.
  • Soaring prices and rising interest rates are squeezing consumers, making it difficult for some to keep up with their auto loans.

Go deeper

FacebookTweetEmailLinkedIn

Chevron Makes $53 Billion Deal Amid Surging Gas Prices

by PJ Howland Leaders Staff
Markets

Oct 23, 2023

Chevron Gas Deal

Chevron is acquiring Hess Corp. for $53 billion, the second significant oil producer acquisition this month as crude prices climb.

Key Details

  • Chevron is purchasing Hess in an all-cash deal worth $53 billion, including debt and preferred stock redemption.
  • This comes just weeks after ExxonMobil announced its $59.5 billion purchase of Pioneer Natural Resources.
  • With oil over $80 per barrel, major producers are using their windfall profits to acquire smaller players and boost payouts to shareholders.
  • Chevron expects the deal to close in H1 2023 pending regulatory approvals and Hess shareholder vote.
  • Hess CEO John Hess will join Chevron's board once the acquisition is complete.

Go deeper

FacebookTweetEmailLinkedIn
nike logo
Company Culture

Oct 20, 2023

Nike to Require More In-Office Days From Employees

by Colin Baker Leaders Staff
blue collar workers
Retirement

Oct 20, 2023

Explaining The ‘C+ Grade’ Retirement Ecosystem in The United States

by PJ Howland Leaders Staff
netflix building
Entertainment

Oct 19, 2023

Netflix Hiking Prices While Adding Millions of Subscribers

by Colin Baker Leaders Staff

Recent Articles

Hiring

Nov 1, 2023

Learn the Winning Answers to the Most Common Phone Interview Questions

Come to your next phone interview fully prepared

Personal Growth

Oct 30, 2023

85 Quotes on Self-Love to Boost Your Self-Esteem

Don’t fall into the trap of harsh self-criticism

Company Culture

Oct 27, 2023

What is a Sabbatical? Your Ticket to Restful Growth and Meaning

Sabbaticals can benefits both employees and businesses

  • Business
  • Leadership
  • Wealth
Join the Leaders Community

Get exclusive tools and resources you need to grow as a leader and scale a purpose-driven business.

Subscribing indicates your consent to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy

Leaders.com
  • Privacy Policy
  • About
  • Careers
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms
  • Disclosures
  • Editorial Policy
  • Member Login

© 2025 Leaders.com - All rights reserved.

Search Leaders.com