[zen928]

> All I wanted to do was self host a Plex server and access it from devices on my intranet using Infuse. Why should I have to bounce to a third party server to do that?

Cool, a real discussion. Plex has the weakness of requiring a first time online auth because they didnt implement a local ldap/oauth/sso pathway. After that point, Settings > Network > "List of IP addresses and networks that are allowed without auth", use a generous netmask. Entirely local after that point if desired.

[xienze]

Well, I didn't know that at the time, and I was so annoyed by it I just moved to Jellyfin. And based on another comment in this thread:

> https://support.plex.tv/articles/200890058-authentication-fo...

They certainly try to scare people away from changing this setting, which is not a good look IMO.