NETFLIX & BILLS
Crackdown on sharing TV streaming accounts
NETFLIX is fighting back against subscribers who share passwords, in a U-turn on the relaxed attitude it had five years ago.
The video on demand company is currently testing a feature which may lead to a crackdown on users sharing the same account.
Some Netflix account holders are now seeing a screen reading: “If you don’t live with the owner of this account, you need your own account to keep watching.”
Viewers then get the option to verify their identity with a code sent to the account’s owner, or choose to do it later.
In a statement, the streamer said: “This test is designed to help ensure that people using Netflix accounts are authorised to do so.”
The US TV giant had previously said it was comfortable with users sharing their passwords.
Speaking in 2016, chief executive Reed Hastings said the firm had “no plans” to crack down.
He explained: “Password sharing is something you have to learn to live with, because there’s so much legitimate password sharing, like you sharing with your spouse, with your
It ensures people who use Netflix are authorised to do so
NETFLIX IN STATEMENT ON SUBSCRIBER USE
kids. So there’s no bright line, and we’re doing fine as is.”
According to the Netflix terms of service, account details should “not be shared with individuals beyond your household”. In the UK, monthly subscription packages cost from £5.99 to £13.99. In January the firm – boosted by months of lockdown – revealed it had more than 203 million subscribers, making it the world’s leading streaming service.