Discount subscriptions put money, personal data at risk, experts warn

Discount subscriptions, such as those offered by Netflix and YouTube Premium, are being sold at a significant discount on unofficial reseller platforms, according to a cybersecurity firm. However, buying these subscriptions from these unofficial sources poses substantial risks. The firm, Surfshark, compared official subscription prices for 10 popular services with resale platform prices and found that on average, resold subscriptions were around 65% cheaper.

For instance, instead of paying about 17,600 won per month through official channels, buyers could get the same services for about 6,200 won monthly on resale platforms.

This substantial saving comes with considerable risks. Many of these resale platforms require customers to commit to a minimum 12-month contract, with some even demanding a 6-month commitment. This could be problematic for buyers who may lose access to their accounts before the term ends. In such cases, they may have to seek help or a refund from the reseller, which is not a guaranteed solution.

Moreover, some resale platforms were found to collect more personal information than necessary. One such platform asked for a buyer's name, address, and postal code, raising concerns about data privacy and security. This highlights the potential for buyers to put their personal data at risk when opting for cheaper subscription alternatives on resale platforms.