News of Netflix banning password sharing has been circulating for several months now. However, it wasn’t until Tuesday that Netflix went forward with its password-sharing crackdown in the U.S. The company, via email, sent the following:
“A Netflix account is for use by one household,” the company admonishes. Everyone living in that household can use Netflix wherever they are — at home, on the go, on holiday — and take advantage of new features like Transfer Profile and Manage Access and Devices.”
As of today, anyone sharing passwords with family members or friends that aren’t in the same location will have to pay $7.99 extra for each of them.
How Does This Decision Affect Netflix Users?
This update doesn’t affect you if you have always used your Netflix account solo. However, if you ever intend to share your login details, they must be within your living premises, or you opt for paid sharing. The paid sharing goes for $7.99 a month, and only standard and premium plans can share their accounts. Standard plans can share with one, while premium plans can share with two members.
For those who share their login details, a lot has changed. Netflix allows users to view all those who share their accounts. Here, they can remove all those they want off it. Also, they have the tools to reset their passwords.
If you are sharing someone else’s account, Netflix offers a Transfer Profile option. This option includes all you need to relocate your information, including the viewer’s history and watch list. After you have successfully transitioned, you can opt for your payment plan.
Where Does Netflix Go from Here?
Netflix has started receiving backlash from consumers for their daring move. However, it would seem the company is on top of the situation. Netflix is aware that there will be many cancellations, but it assures investors that it will be beneficial in the long run.
Netflix co-CEO Greg Peters believes the cancellation is the normal reaction, and they can build from there. The company had tried earlier tests with other countries and reported having a tremendous bounce back, leaving them optimistic. However, would the same apply to the U.S., its biggest market?
More so, the timing coincides with other competitors like Paramount and HBO making remarkable changes to deliver more content. On the other hand, Netflix hopes to charge more for the same content. q
Conclusion
Netflix cracking down on password sharing is a daring move as competitors try more and more to please their subscribers. However, it is hard to deny their hegemony as the biggest streaming platform in the market. As its co-CEO believes, this move might end up being remarkable for the company.
The tides might favor the company, and borrowers might open new accounts in their numbers. But for now, it looks unlikely, as Americans haven’t hesitated to mention their distaste for the move. For many, it is how Netflix has switched its face—from “love is sharing a password” to monetizing the passwords. However, we will give you the news as the scene unfolds.
