Netflix controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2020
Netflix apologizes over Cuties marketing poster
Company response
In August 2020, Netflix issued an apology following a strong backlash over the marketing of its forthcoming release Cuties. The controversy centered on the promotional poster for the film. According to the source, Netflix apologized for the poster after the marketing drew criticism. The event is recorded as an apology by the company over the marketing of the film rather than a statement about the film's content.
Company response
Apology — Netflix
Netflix has issued a swift mea culpa after a strong backlash today around the marketing of its forthcoming release Cuties.
Source excerpt
Before the movie had even premiered on Netflix, though, it was already garnering significant controversy for the company, and prompted a public apology a day after the company’s poster and official description went viral on social media.
“We’re deeply sorry for the inappropriate artwork that we used for Mignonnes/Cuties,” Netflix posted to its official Twitter account. “It was not OK, nor was it representative of this French film which won an award at Sundance. We’ve now updated the pictures and description.”
Netflix responded swiftly to backlash they received over a promotional poster for the French film Cuties that sexualized its child stars by apologizing for the "inappropriate" art on Twitter.
2020
New Boston sues Netflix and Hulu over utility fees
Lawsuit filed
The City of New Boston filed a lawsuit against Netflix and Hulu, alleging that the streaming services must pay municipalities a share of revenue generated from Texas residents. The dispute concerns utility fees. The event was reported on August 11, 2020.
The City of New Boston sued Netflix and Hulu, alleging the streaming services must pay municipalities a share of revenue generated from Texas residents.
Source excerpt
The City of New Boston is suing Netflix and Hulu alleging the streamers are obligated to pay a share of the revenue they generate from Texas residents to the municipalities in which they reside.
Defendants failed to apply for and obtain a SICFA, and are, therefore, providing video service throughout Texas without authorization, and in contravention of the Texas Utility Code.
2020
Ana Margarita Martinez files suit over Wasp Network portrayal
Lawsuit filed
Ana Margarita Martinez filed a suit in federal court concerning Netflix's film Wasp Network, alleging in part that the film's portrayal of her was defamatory. According to reporting on the complaint, the suit also disputed the depiction of her lifestyle and of events in the film. At the time the report was published, Netflix had not commented on the matter. The filing concerns the film's portrayal of Martinez rather than any claim of a specific outcome in the case.
Source excerpt
Digital Spy has reached out to Netflix, which has yet to comment.
According to , Ana Margarita Martinez (a Cuban exile whose story forms the basis of the film) filed a suit in federal court this week, in part because she believes Ana De Armas' "party girl" portrayal of her was defamatory.Variety
The complaint argues that Armas is "known for playing roles where she is nude and in sex scenes" and her involvement allegedly supports the false narrative that Martinez engaged in "sexually immoral or unchaste conduct".
2020
Activision sues Netflix over former CFO appointment
Lawsuit filed
Activision filed a lawsuit against Netflix concerning Netflix's appointment of Spencer Neumann, Activision's former chief financial officer. According to the reported claims, the suit alleges intentional interference with contract, unfair competition, and aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty. The event was reported on December 6, 2020.
Activision is suing Netflix over the appointment of its former chief financial officer, Spencer Neumann. The suit alleges intentional interference with contract, unfair competition, and aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty.
Source excerpt
The suit alleges Netflix poached Neumann after he served just 18 months at the gaming giant and, according to Hollywood Reporter, is suing for "intentional interference with contract, unfair competition, and aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty".
Activision Blizzard is suing Netflix for allegedly poaching its former CFO, Spencer Neumann.
In a case filed this week in a California court and spotted by Hollywood Reporter, Activision Blizzard accuses Netflix of intentional interference with contract, unfair competition, and aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty.
2020
Netflix faces backlash over 365 Days
Public backlash
Netflix faced criticism and a petition demanding removal of the film 365 Days from its streaming service. Singer Duffy wrote to Netflix CEO Reed Hastings calling the film irresponsible and alleging that it glamorizes the realities of sex trafficking, kidnapping and rape; the article reports that the petition had more than 55,000 signatures.
Source excerpt
Social media outrage has been mounting since the film debuted on Netflix last month, and now there’s a Change.org petition with more than 55,000 signatures demanding “365 Days” be removed from Netflix.
Duffy had a much blunter way of describing the movie when she penned a letter to Netflix CEO Reed Hastings about it, writing that it “glamorizes the brutal reality of sex trafficking, kidnapping and rape.”
The National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) and the Parents Television Council (PTC) released statements regarding "Cuties" earlier this week, condemning the platform for the movie's release and the content of the film.
2020
Broadcom sues Netflix over alleged patent infringement
Lawsuit filed
Broadcom filed a lawsuit against Netflix alleging that Netflix infringed eight patents related to video playback and data transmission. Broadcom also claimed Netflix's use of the technology harmed its ability to sell set-top-box semiconductor chips.
Source excerpt
Netflix is being sued by Broadcom after the manufacturer of semiconductor chips for set-top boxes filed a lawsuit on March 13 in Los Angeles, which was originally reported by Variety. The lawsuit alleges that Netflix has infringed on eight patents that have ultimately contributed to the rise of cord-cutting.
The eight patents Broadcom cited in the lawsuit deal with video playback and data transmission. Broadcom claims that the patents “cover foundational technologies that are essential to various aspects of Netflix’s video streaming service, and the systems that Netflix uses to support this service.”
March 17, 2020
2019
Reid and Associates sues Netflix over When They See Us
Lawsuit filed
Reid and Associates sued Netflix and director Ava DuVernay for defamation, alleging that the series misrepresented the Reid Technique as "universally rejected." The company seeks damages and profits and wants the show removed from Netflix until the line is changed or removed. Netflix had not responded to Newsbeat's request for comment at the time of publication.
Company response
Denial — Netflix
Linda Fairstein’s frivolous lawsuit is without merit
Source excerpt
He argues that Ava “fabricated a scene designed to broadcast to the audience a conversation they made up that included false statements as to the Reid Technique.”
claiming in a lawsuit that “When They See Us” defamed them “by saying his method was used to squeeze statements out” of the children.
According to TMZ, the latest jab comes from former Chicago police officer John Reid. While Reid does not appear in the film, he’s arguing in a defamation lawsuit that the series misrepresents and demonizes his work.
2019
Mo'Nique files discrimination lawsuit against Netflix
Lawsuit filed
Mo'Nique filed a lawsuit accusing Netflix of race-based discrimination in its negotiations over a comedy special and seeking unspecified damages and an injunction. Netflix said its opening offer was fair and that it would fight the lawsuit; the allegations are claims in the suit.
Company response
Denial — Netflix
We believe our opening offer to Mo'Nique was fair -- which is why we will be fighting this lawsuit.
Denial — Netflix
Netflix denied the lawsuit’s main allegations in a statement.
Source excerpt
We believe our opening offer to Mo’Nique was fair — which is why we will be fighting this lawsuit.
On Thursday, the actress and comedian filed a lawsuit accusing Netflix of making her a “biased, discriminatory” offer for an hourlong stand-up special.
Mo'Nique sued the streaming service for unspecified damages on Thursday.
2019
Netflix faces criticism over playback-speed test
Public backlash
Netflix drew criticism after it was reported to be testing a feature that would allow viewers to watch films and TV series at different speeds. The test concerned playback speed options for its content. According to the source, Netflix faced a backlash over the playback-speed test feature. The event was reported on October 29, 2019.
Netflix was criticised for testing a feature that lets viewers watch films and TV series at different speeds.
Source excerpt
Netflix is facing criticism from film-makers after announcing a new test feature that will allow viewers to watch content at different speeds.
It immediately sparked backlash from the likes of The Incredibles director Brad Bird and Judd Apatow, who co-created the series Love for the platform.
On Monday (October 28), the streaming giant confirmed it was trialling the feature, which allows downloaded shows and films to be viewed at a slower and faster pace on a smartphone.
2019
Petition calls on Netflix to remove film
Public backlash
A petition with more than 1.5 million signatures called on Netflix to remove the film “The First Temptation of Christ” from its catalog over its depiction of Jesus in a gay relationship. A Christian group also objected to the film and urged Netflix to apologize and withdraw it.
Source excerpt
Over 1.5 million people have signed a petition asking streamer Netflix to take down a film that allegedly shows Jesus in a gay relationship.
Abraham Mathai, president of Indian Christian Voice, has sent an open letter to Netflix founder and CEO Reed Hastings, calling the film "blasphemous, vulgar and disrespectful" and "highly offensive to the sentiments of the Christian community".
2011
Qwikster restructuring and price controversy
Netflix proposed separating DVD rentals from streaming under the Qwikster name while changing prices for combined access. Customers criticized the plan as confusing and expensive. Netflix apologized and withdrew the restructuring shortly afterward.