Millions of UK Netflix subscribers could soon be blocked from using the streaming service.
Netflix bosses issued the warning as part of an announcement over plans for a huge shake-up in how people use its service. Soon, users will be banned from sharing passwords.
Anyone who is found to break the new rule and feature will be blocked from accessing the streaming platform - meaning they will be missing out on some of their favourite shows such as Stranger Things, The Crown and Wednesday.
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The Express reported this "controversial" update will mean millions of users who watch content free of charge will now be asked to pay. The company has already tested the feature in certain parts of the world, and now Netflix has confirmed it will be rolled out to the UK.
However, users will still be able to share accounts with a new feature called "paid sharing" - which costs less than a full subscription. It is thought over 100 million Netflix users will be affected by the changes.
Confirming the news, Netflix said: "Later in Q1, we expect to start rolling out paid sharing more broadly. Today’s widespread account sharing (100M+ households) undermines our long term ability to invest in and improve Netflix, as well as build our business."
It added: "While our terms of use limit use of Netflix to a household, we recognize this is a change for members who share their account more broadly. So we’ve worked hard to build additional new features that improve the Netflix experience, including the ability for members to review which devices are using their account and to transfer a profile to a new account.
"As we roll out paid sharing, members in many countries will also have the option to pay extra if they want to share Netflix with people they don’t live with. As is the case today, all members will be able to watch while traveling, whether on a TV or mobile device."
It's not yet known when the rules will come into force or which areas will be affected.
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