HYBE is currently facing significant backlash after unveiling their latest feature for Weverse — an auto-generated subtitle service that is only available through a “Digital Membership.”
Subtitles — a crucial accessibility tool for those who are Deaf or hard of hearing — have been made an exclusive feature available only to paying members. Weverse announced the new feature through a statement released on their platform.
We’re happy to announce that auto-generated subtitles have been added as a new benefit of Digital Membership. You’ll be able to use auto-generated subtitles immediately if you’re subscribed to Digital Membership as of January 16, 2025 (KST).
Take this opportunity to enjoy LIVES of your favorite artists with auto-generated subtitles!
Real-time auto-generated subtitles will be available in up to 13 languages (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Spanish, French, Russian, Vietnamese, Thai, Indonesian, German, Italian) if the LIVE is being held in Korean.
— Weverse
The decision to place this feature behind a paywall has triggered outrage among fans, who believe it unfairly monetizes a feature that many rely on for accessibility. Many argue that subtitles are not a luxury but an essential tool for ensuring equitable access to content. The move has also prompted accusations of ableism, with fans expressing disappointment over HYBE and Weverse’s approach to inclusivity.
Why is no one mentioning how ableist it is that Weverse is now making people PAY FOR SUBTITLES that were always free. What about deaf fans???? @weverseofficial @HYBEOFFICIALtwt pic.twitter.com/VBtSG8iBnA
— GraceSea ???????????? (@HungryBunnie23) January 16, 2025
Weverse Live now has automated subtitles which can only be accessed behind a paywall, because for some reason on top of the actual SEVENTEEN membership, Weverse wants you to pay for ANOTHER membership for these “perks”.
HYBE truly has become all about the money.
— Kathrina (@vindicatedtruth) January 16, 2025
weverse is actually evil wdym u have to pay for live subtitles pic.twitter.com/XuBipdHTQ9
— mila ★ (@seungslle) January 16, 2025
Saw that Weverse is making real time auto-generated subs a paid feature. If you’ve ever watched a video with real time computer generated subtitles, you know how awful this is going to be. Going to stick to the human added subs that always come later instead. ????
— Rafranz (@rafranzdavis) January 18, 2025
Some fans are now waiting to see how HYBE or Weverse will address this criticism and whether the company will reconsider its stance on this issue. So far, the company has not responded to the fans’ concerns.
Source: Weverse
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