Netflix's New Account Sharing Crackdown Feature Has Users "Ready To Cancel"
Topics: Netflix, TV And Film
Featured Image Credit: Netflix
Topics: Netflix, TV And Film
Netflix knows full well that many of us share our passwords with family members to get around paying more, and it's not going to take it anymore.
The streaming giant has been threatening to crack down on account sharing for a while now, and has already taken steps to do so, but it's now taking things further. Netflix announced last night that it will begin testing new features specifically designed to prevent password sharing with friends and family outside of your household.
Netflix's director of product innovation, Chengyi Long, announced that these new features will initially be rolled out across Chile, Costa Rica, and Peru. During this period, subscribers in the affected countries will be prompted to add viewers who don't live in their household to their package at a discounted price.
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There will also be an option allowing for subscribers to transfer their viewing history and recommendations into a new account or "Extra Member" account.
"We've always made it easy for people who live together to share their Netflix account, with features like separate profiles and multiple streams in our Standard and Premium plans," Long said in a blog post. "While these have been hugely popular, they have also created some confusion about when and how Netflix can be shared."
Netflix first announced a tough new verification system last year, so these these new measures are more of a gentle way to encourage us away from sharing our passwords.
Unfortunately, the fact remains that subscribers are unhappy they're being asked to pay more at all - especially with the recent price hikes in certain territories. While account sharing has always been against the service's terms of service, it has turned a blind eye to the practice for so long that the new wave of restrictions has ruffled feathers.
"Oh I’m so ready to cancel Netflix," wrote one user on Twitter. "This will be the last straw. Either this or another price hike, whichever happens first."
"First raising prices now this BS," another added. "Netflix bout to go broke. Someone tell them they’re not the only streaming service. Hulu , Prime , D Plus , HBO , IMDB , Britbox , Apple TV..."
You’re not going to see a boom in new subscribers if these people are cut off. Folks like to watch whatever is free. It’s that simple. And I’m not even someone who shares accounts. I simply observe those around me. It’s not rocket science. This is a bad idea.
— Aliyah ~ BlackStarr ミ☆🧣 (@therainbowisgay) March 16, 2022
You’re not going to see a boom in new subscribers if these people are cut off. Folks like to watch whatever is free. It’s that simple. And I’m not even someone who shares accounts. I simply observe those around me. It’s not rocket science. This is a bad idea.
— Aliyah ~ BlackStarr ミ☆🧣 (@therainbowisgay) March 16, 2022
Translation: Netflix’s business model is unsustainable because it relies on spending billions on pumping out low quality content just to have something new to “break streaming records” despite rarely disclosing viewership data, while making meager profits. It will only go up
— Ambi (@JerseyShade) March 16, 2022
Netflix has made it clear this is just the start of its renewed attempts to limit password and account sharing, so be prepared for more news later this year. And maybe consider asking your freeloading cousin to start paying for his own account. It's been three years, for god's sake.