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HBO Max Integration Test Email Accidentally Sent to Users [Updated]

John Finn Avatar
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Any HBO Max subscribers that have recently received an ‘integration test email’ can ignore it, as it appears to have been sent in error. HBO Max is a popular streaming service with over 40 million subscribers and that number is only only likely to increase as time goes on. In part thanks to the introduction of a cheaper $9.99 per month plan, but also due the recently announced plans to make the streaming service available in additional international markets.

With so many subscribers, it can be unfortunate when things go wrong. While a more serious example of this would be when the streaming service goes down or encounters technical difficulties in general, there can also be more mundane times when things go wrong, such as sending out an email by mistake.

Many HBO Max, if not all, have been receiving an “Integration Test Email #1” today. The email doesn’t include any other information other than the confirmation that, “This template is used by integration tests only.” As the email body suggests, this is an email that’s the basis for a test, albeit one that should have probably occurred within a closed space and not made it to production. In this case, it would appear that HBO Max’s internal testing and customer email lists overlapped, resulting in the internal email being sent out to actual customer email addresses.

Needless to say, the email itself is not something HBO Max subscribers need to worry about. It does not affect them, nor was it intended for them. Of course, some may question the fact that customer data has been used in this way, although that’s a different issue altogether. For now, HBO Max subscribers can simply ignore their Integration Test Email or take a moment to head over to Twitter which seems to be enjoying the situation, and making their own decision on what the Integration Test really is. Not to mention, whether this should be considered a successful or failed HBO Max integration test.

Update 06/17: It is becoming increasingly clear that the “Integration Test Email #1” was sent to more than just active HBO Max accounts. There are reports of receiving the email from users who were previously an HBO Max subscriber, as well as those who have never subscribed to HBO Max but were previously either HBO, HBO Go, or HBO Now users. There are also some reports from users who have never subscribed to HBO in any capacity.

Due to this, the emailing list appears to be much larger than first thought, and certainly not limited to just HBO Max subscribers, either active or canceled.

Update 06/18: HBO Max has since acknowledged the email and confirmed that it was sent out by mistake. The confirmation came via a Tweet which stated the Integration Test email was sent out to a “portion” of the streaming service’s mailing list. HBO Max apologized for any inconvenience it may have caused.

“We mistakenly sent out an empty test email to a portion of our HBO Max mailing list this evening. We apologize for the inconvenience, and as the jokes pile in, yes, it was the intern. No, really. And we’re helping them through it.”

HBO Max/Twitter
John Finn

Comments

3 responses

  1. NotASubscriber Avatar
    NotASubscriber

    I have never been an HBO subscriber, nor have I had cable or satellite, yet all the email addresses used on my phone received this email (Google and Outlook). Obviously this is more than just “subscribers” receiving this junk. Starting to wonder what app on my phone sold me out. LOL

    1. John Finn Avatar
      John Finn

      That’s interesting. Have only seen reports of HBO Max so far. AT&T customer, maybe? AT&T owns HBO Max by way of WarnerMedia, so could be a connection there.

    2. I am also not subscribed but received this email. Not sure why they would have my email.

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