, , , , , ,

Netflix starts cracking down on password sharing in four new markets, including Canada

Netflix today announced it’s rolling out paid sharing, otherwise known as Netflix’s crackdown on password sharing, to more countries, including Canada, New Zealand, Portugal, and Spain. The company had previously tested paid sharing in select markets, including Chile, Costa Rica, Peru, and elsewhere in Latin America. It’s also now offering a few details about how paid sharing will work, in hopes of quelling a subscriber backlash over the anticipated changes that have some threatening to cancel their Netflix accounts.

The news follows a leak describing password restrictions that came out earlier this month, prompting subscriber complaints.

In the U.S., Netflix had quietly published details regarding its password-sharing policies on its U.S. Help site, where they were picked up by various news outlets, including The Streamable. While the streamer quickly clarified the guidelines had been published by accident and its policies for the U.S. weren’t yet set in stone, the damage was already done.

Across social media, Netflix subscribers expressed their anger over the changes and how they would soon be forced to pay for the extra people mooching off their accounts.

As many correctly pointed out, this would impact families who were sharing their service with a kid in college, where family members split a plan but live in different locations or people who travel between homes. It would also penalize people who traveled for work and were often signed in from locations outside their home.

Going forward, where paid sharing is live, subscribers will have a couple of choices. They can pay to add the extra member to their account (CAD$7.99/mo per person in Canada, NZD$7.99 in New Zealand, Euro 3.99 in Portugal, and Euro 5.99 in Spain). Otherwise, they can suggest the member get their own account and kick them off their service. (Netflix helpfully offers a new “transfer profile” option for the mooches getting the boot which allows them to move their viewing history, watch list, and more to a new standalone account.)

Netflix subscribers were also been upset about how travel restrictions would work under the new policy.

In the published rules, Netflix explained that subscribers would have to log into the Netflix app on their home network at least once every 31 days or risk having their account access blocked.

One could imagine how easy it would be to encounter this problem, even as the main subscriber. For instance, if you quickly grabbed an often-unused tablet to watch on the plane but forgot to authenticate with Netflix before you left, you may find yourself without access. In this case, Netflix suggests you could ask the main account holder to verify the device for you with a code. But that’s obviously a hassle.

@wyckedtok #stitch with @techcrunch I have questions … #netflixpassword #netflixpasswordsharing #cancelnetflix ♬ original sound – Wycked

Today, Netflix stated in its blog post that members would be required to set a primary location and would be able to manage who had access to their account from a new Manage Access and Devices page. It also noted that members could “still easily watch Netflix on their personal devices” when they traveled or if they logged into a new TV, like at a hotel or Airbnb.

However, the post didn’t address the concerns over the 31-day authentication rule, specifically. But Netflix told us that people who travel frequently or who have a second home will, in fact, be required to open the Netflix app on their mobile device or devices while connected to their home’s Wi-Fi at their primary location “once a month and then when they arrive at their second location.”

The company pointed out this isn’t any different from how Hulu with Live TV works, but that’s a bit of an unfair comparison. There are different rules for live TV streamers due to broadcast restrictions that don’t apply to on-demand video. Regional sports networks are determined and restricted by a user’s home location. Local affiliate networks are also location-based.

It didn’t say if these will be the same rules for the U.S. when the feature arrives in Netflix’s home market.

Netflix subscribers understand the changes are really more of a money grab than anything else. And they come after years of a much more permissive password policy. Back in 2016, Netflix’s then-CEO Reed Hastings even characterized password-sharing as a “positive thing” and a “terrific marketing vehicle.”

Arguably, the “transfer profile” feature on its own could have slowly weaned subscribers off of a shared account. But now it’s more likely their family member or friend will force them to leave.

If those members then set up their own Netflix accounts, then Netflix will have grown its subscriber base. But it’s a risky bet at a time when streaming competition is fierce and free streaming through ad-supported video and FAST channels is on the rise. Netflix last year saw its first subscriber loss in 10 years, and later reported its largest quarterly loss ever. Though it has since turned things around in its most recent quarter, its failure or success forever hinges on its next big hit.

“We value our members and recognize that they have many entertainment choices,” the company wrote in today’s blog post. “A Netflix account is intended for one household and members can choose from a range of plans with different features. As always, we’ll refine these new features based on member feedback so that we continue to improve Netflix in the years ahead.”

The company also shared plan details and how many extra members would be allowed per plan as seen in the chart below.

Image Credits: Netflix

Netflix starts cracking down on password sharing in four new markets, including Canada by Sarah Perez originally published on TechCrunch

https://techcrunch.com/2023/02/08/netflix-starts-cracking-down-on-password-sharing-in-four-new-markets-including-canada/


January 2025
M T W T F S S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031  

About Us

Welcome to encircle News! We are a cutting-edge technology news company that is dedicated to bringing you the latest and greatest in everything tech. From automobiles to drones, software to hardware, we’ve got you covered.

At encircle News, we believe that technology is more than just a tool, it’s a way of life. And we’re here to help you stay on top of all the latest trends and developments in this ever-evolving field. We know that technology is constantly changing, and that can be overwhelming, but we’re here to make it easy for you to keep up.

We’re a team of tech enthusiasts who are passionate about everything tech and love to share our knowledge with others. We believe that technology should be accessible to everyone, and we’re here to make sure it is. Our mission is to provide you with fun, engaging, and informative content that helps you to understand and embrace the latest technologies.

From the newest cars on the road to the latest drones taking to the skies, we’ve got you covered. We also dive deep into the world of software and hardware, bringing you the latest updates on everything from operating systems to processors.

So whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a business professional, or just someone who wants to stay up-to-date on the latest advancements in technology, encircle News is the place for you. Join us on this exciting journey and be a part of shaping the future.

Podcasts

TWiT 1013: Calamari in Crisis – Touching the Sun, Fake Spotify Artists, Banished Words This Week in Tech (Audio)

Touching the Sun, Fake Spotify Artists, Banished Words AI Needs So Much Power, It's Making Yours Worse How many billions Big Tech spent on AI data centers in 2024 NASA Spacecraft 'Touches Sun' In Defining Moment For Humankind Elon Musk Calls Out NASA's Moon Ambitions: 'We're Going Straight to Mars' Elon Musk and the right's war on Wikipedia Trump Asks Supreme Court to Pause Law Threatening TikTok Ban US Treasury says Chinese hackers stole documents in 'major incident' Judge blocks parts of California bid to protect kids from social media Finland probes Russian shadow fleet oil tanker after cable-cutting incident US appeals court blocks Biden administration effort to restore net-neutrality rules The Ghosts in the Machine (fake spotify artists) Massive VW Data Leak Exposed 800,000 EV Owners' Movements, From Homes To Brothels Banished Words | Lake Superior State University 2025 Public Domain Day 2025 Happy Birthday, Bitcoin! The top cryptocurrency is old enough to drive End of the lines? QR-style codes could replace barcodes 'within two years' Host: Leo Laporte Guests: Richard Campbell, Anthony Ha, and Stacey Higginbotham Download or subscribe to This Week in Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-tech Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: ZipRecruiter.com/Twit joindeleteme.com/twit promo code TWIT canary.tools/twit – use code: TWIT zscaler.com/security
  1. TWiT 1013: Calamari in Crisis – Touching the Sun, Fake Spotify Artists, Banished Words
  2. TWiT 1012: Our Best Of 2024 – The Best Moments From TWiT's 2024
  3. TWiT 1011: The Year in Review – A Look at the Top Stories of 2024
  4. TWiT 1010: The Densest State in the US – TikTok Ban, Drones Over Jersey, GM Quits Robotaxis
  5. TWiT 1009: Andy Giveth & Bill Taketh Away – Trump's Tech Titans, Crypto Boom, TikTok's US Ban, Intel CEO Exits