Netflix's 'creepy' tweet about 'A Christmas Prince' faces backlash on social media
"A Christmas Prince." (Netflix)
Netflix is facing backlash on Twitter after the streaming service tweeted a note that seemed to share very detailed information about customers’ viewing habits, all while mocking them.
“To the 53 people who’ve watched A Christmas Prince every day for the past 18 days: Who hurt you?” wrote Netflix on Sunday, referring to their original holiday movie that was released on November 17.
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
“A Christmas Prince” is a romantic film that tells the story of an aspiring young journalist (Rose McIver), who’s sent abroad to get the scoop on a handsome prince (Ben Lamb) who is poised to be king.
Many viewers immediately blasted Netflix for the “creepy” post, claiming the site is monitoring the viewing habits of subscribers a little bit too close and using that same data to publicly poke fun at them.
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
This is amazing. Except for the “watching us like big brother “ part ;)
— blake (@blaketopia) December 11, 2017
That's pretty creepy @netflix. Is it in your Terms of Service and Acceptable Use Policy that you will collect and analyze viewing habits so that you can mock people via social media? Asking for a friend. #fb
— Andrew Strutt (@andrew_strutt) December 11, 2017
Your not supposed to call people out like that
— Jane Crocker (@jcbbys) December 11, 2017
Mind your own damn business Netflix you don’t need to know my life
— Katy Springman (@Kitkat_katykat) December 12, 2017
I just want to ask in what marketing class they teach you to shame your most reliable customers? Nice try, but you’re not @Wendys. Might ask her for some pointers though.
— Erik Wecks (@erikwecks) December 12, 2017
Interesting. I didn’t see this: “If you watch something in a way that we think is stupid, we will publicly shame you.” in the @netflix privacy policy. https://t.co/FqYrtEWnKu
— Matt Molby (@mattmolby) December 12, 2017
This is creepy as hell.
— 1001 Chicago Afternoons (@1001chicago) December 12, 2017
Wow. This has just convinced me never to get netflix! This is irresponsible and hurtful use of customer data, or if fabricated promoting distrust in Netflix. It *should* violate your social media policy, if it doesn't you should revise it.
— James Cummings (@jamescummings) December 12, 2017
"The privacy of our members' viewing is important to us," a rep for Netflix told Fox News on Tuesday. "This information represents overall viewing trends, not the personal viewing information of specific, identified individuals."
Some fans of the movie took the tweet in stride, admitting they were probably one of those repeat viewers.
I was legit in the middle of watching it
— Lil Jimmy™ (@WORL3Y) December 11, 2017
I think you’re missing a few things.
— Michael Dover (@MichaelDover) December 12, 2017
1. Joke.
2. Most likely stores playing it.
3. Joke.
4. Not roasting anyone.
5. Joke.
6. The users are anonymous.
7. Joke.
8. https://t.co/RIvbR0Jd4P
9. Joke.
10. Don’t like it? Don’t use it!
11. Joke.
You realize that, google tracks your likes too, so does amazon, Twitter, IG, & Facebook why do you think sometimes when you go on YouTube it has recommended something you just saw on Facebook Google does the same thing with Amazon and vice versa -
— David Reckless???????? (@Recklxsshot) December 12, 2017
Do not diss The Christmas Prince. It’s so bad, it’s next level brilliant!
— Anoushka Claus ???????? (@AnoushkaLoves) December 11, 2017
Not our fault! Where’s Love Actually when we need it?
— bethannfarmer (@BethAnnFarmer) December 12, 2017
...guilty... ???????? pic.twitter.com/gQHSnO9PF1
— Jeff Bartrom (@DocCupCake84) December 11, 2017
The outrage occurred just a day before Netflix released their top original shows that were frequently watched in 2017, including “The Crown,” “Stranger Things” and “Narcos.”