Netflix Confirms It's Cracking Down On Password Sharing By Charging For Additional Users
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Netflix fans, beware. The streaming service is cracking down on password sharing by charging subscribers an extra fee for people outside of their immediate household using their log-in details.
The company said the test will be rolled out after launching in Chile, Costa Rica and Peru in the next few weeks.
Variety reports Netflix ran a limited test last year prompting users to enter their account details to prevent freeloaders from watching their content.
Netflix, which is home to hit series including Bridgerton, Squid Game and documentaries like The Tinder Swindler, intends to stop freeloaders who by use the login details of a friend, family member or a partner’s Netflix account.
The move was confirmed by Chengyi Long, director of product innovation at Netflix in a blog post.
“We’ve always made it easy for people who live together to share their Netflix account, with features like separate profiles and multiple streams in our Standard and Premium plans,” he said.
“While these have been hugely popular, they have also created some confusion about when and how Netflix can be shared. As a result, accounts are being shared between households — impacting our ability to invest in great new TV and films for our members.
Long said the new system will give users a chance to share their Netflix details “easily and securely”, while “also paying a bit more”.
There are three different Netflix plans - basic, standard and premium.
When customers purchase the basic plan, priced at £6.99, they are limited to watching shows on one screen at a time but they are able to download shows and films but only onto one device.
The standard package, which costs £10.99, lets users watch shows on two different screens at the same time, for example, one person in the living room and the other cosied up in their bedroom. Users can also download shows onto two different devices.
The priciest plan, the premium, which recently increased in price to £15.99, gives users ultra HD and the ability to watch on four different screens.
Netflix users can also create different profiles on their Netflix account to allow each user a unique and tailored experience based on their viewing habits.
Those signed up to the standard and premium plans will be able to add sub-accounts for up to two people they don’t live with, this will grant the extra person their own profile, personalised recommendations and login details.
Alternately, users of the basic, standard and premium plans can allow people who share their account to transfer their viewing history, lists and personalised recommendations to their own brand new account or a sub-account.
Netflix has around 14 million subscribers in the UK.
Topics: TV And Film, Netflix, Technology
