Netflix to disable all online reviews from August

Video streaming platform Netflix will discontinue a feature that allows users to read and write reviews of various movies and TV shows from August.

The shutdown of the desktop-only feature is coming in stages. People will no longer be able to write their feedback on a show, and in mid-August, they will no longer be able to read existing user reviews on Netflix, CNET reported.

"This feature is only offered on the website and has seen declining usage over time," said Netflix spokesperson Smita Saran.

The streaming service used to allow people to rate programs with one to five stars. But, early last year, the company changed it to a simpler thumbs up or thumbs down. Netflix, meanwhile, still uses the data from star-ratings in its recommendation engine and has said it has received more ratings under its thumbs-up-thumbs-down system.