Anyone who shares their Netflix accounts will soon see some big changes on the app.
Friends and family using the same Netflix account could soon be a thing of the past as the streaming giants are rolling out a plan to crack down on password sharing. Netflix bosses told shareholders that over 100m households engaged in account sharing.
The business claims those sharing accounts "undermines the long-term ability to invest in and improve Netflix, as well as build our business". The company has plans for a new paid sharing system to launch "more broadly" in the first quarter of 2023.
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At the moment, three countries - Costa Rica, Chile and Peru - are testing the new system, where anyone outside a household (those living in the same property) cannot use the same account. Guidance issued via the help centre for Netflix Costa Rica outlines the plans to stop sharing between households.
Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming changes.
Who can I share my Netflix account with?
The guidance states that all Netflix accounts will need its primary location set, and that will be linked to a home Wi-Fi network and the devices connected to it. Account users will be able to set up a primary location via the 'Get Help' section of their account settings.
Your account can still be used by anyone who lives in your home and they can still make their own profiles and stream from their own devices. But if family members move out to another address and still use the same account, Netflix may ask for verification if they suspect password sharing.
To ensure that all devices stay connected to the primary location, users are advised to watch something through the Netflix app or website every 31 days. The new measures will mean that accounts cannot be shared with people who don't live at the primary location, with the streaming site seemingly blocking devices which log in at different locations.
Can I still watch Netflix while travelling?
For users who are travelling, they can request a temporary access code in order to continue using Netflix while away from their primary location. Users can also sign up to the site's 'extra member' scheme in order to allow users who don't live at their primary residence to use their account.
What if I still want to share my Netflix account with people outside of my home?
There will be an option which lets users add subaccounts for those outside the household to continue sharing an account. Netflix has been trialling this feature in parts of South America since last year at a cost of around an extra £2-3 per month.
The company limits the number of devices using one account simultaneously to two on its Standard account and four on its Premium account, costing £10.99 and £15.99 per month respectively. Those using an account from outside the household will now have to pay for their own account.
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