Kicked my family off Amazon plan?

When does generosity become exploitation? A Reddit user faces backlash after revoking their family’s access to a decade-long Amazon Prime subscription following a breach of privacy. The story ignites debate over financial boundaries, gratitude, and the right to privacy within families.
The original AITA post details a 27-year-old who paid for Amazon Prime since age 17, allowing their family unrestricted use. Tensions peaked when a relative shamed them for purchasing contraceptives, prompting the poster to cut off access. The fallout raises questions: Are financial favors obligations, and where should privacy boundaries lie?
‘ Kicked my family off Amazon plan?’
Expert Opinions
Financial Boundaries in Family Dynamics
Dr. Henry Cloud, psychologist and author of Boundaries, emphasizes: “When family members exploit generosity, it breeds resentment. Healthy relationships require mutual respect, not entitlement. The poster’s actions are a textbook example of enforcing financial boundaries.”
The Psychology of Privacy Violations
A 2021 study in Journal of Family Psychology found that privacy breaches by relatives erode trust. Lead researcher Dr. Emily Balcetis notes: “Digital access to personal information, like purchase history, can weaponize intimacy. The family’s comment wasn’t just rude—it was a violation of autonomy.”
Shared Expenses and Reciprocity
Financial advisor Ramit Sethi, in I Will Teach You to Be Rich, argues: “Shared subscriptions should involve shared costs. A decade of freeloading creates dependency, not gratitude. The poster’s family conflated access with ownership—a common dynamic in financially uneven relationships.”
These are the responses from Reddit users:
Reddit overwhelmingly sided with the poster:
- NTA voters labeled the family “mooches” and praised the poster for reclaiming control.
- Many highlighted the irony of shaming someone funding their convenience.
- Suggestions included using Amazon’s “Household” feature for privacy (though most agreed cutting access was justified).