{
  "id": 17754857,
  "title": "Discount subscriptions put money, personal data at risk, experts warn",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/discount-subscriptions-put-money-personal-data-at-risk-experts-warn",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-02T06:17:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/20261102/discount-subscriptions-put-money-personal-data-at-risk-experts-warn"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Cybersecurity experts have raised concerns over the risks of purchasing discounted subscriptions for popular services like Netflix and YouTube through unofficial resellers. Surfshark, a Netherlands-based cybersecurity firm, analyzed the prices of 10 leading subscription services and found that buying through resellers can lead to significant savings, but at the cost of potential account loss, financial loss, and compromised personal data.\n\nResold subscriptions averaged around 6,200 won ($4.60) per month, compared to the official rates of roughly 17,600 won. This translates to a monthly saving of 11,400 won or over 130,000 won annually. Resellers typically offer shared accounts at much lower prices, but the study revealed that eight of the 10 services required a minimum 12-month commitment on resale platforms, while two others demanded at least six months of commitment.\n\nBuyers who lose access before the end of the term may face difficulties in obtaining help or a refund from the reseller. Additionally, some resale platforms requested additional personal information beyond what was necessary, sometimes asking for a buyer's name, address, and postal code. As a result, purchasing discounted subscriptions through unofficial channels may not only put money at risk but also put personal data and online accounts in jeopardy.",
  "summary": "Subscriptions to services such as Netflix and YouTube Premium cost an average of 65 percent less when bought through unofficial resellers, but buyers risk losing their accounts, their money and their personal data, a cybersecurity firm said Monday. Netherlands-based Surfshark compared official prices for 10 popular subscription services, including Netflix, Spotify, YouTube Premium and Duolingo,…",
  "key_points": [
    "Discount subscriptions offer significant savings but risk account loss.",
    "Resellers require minimum commitments of 12-6 months for most services.",
    "Purchasing through unofficial channels risks exposing personal data."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Trading official service rates for cheaper reseller accounts exchanges long-term financial and data security for immediate savings, leaving consumers vulnerable to account loss and privacy breaches.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}