Netflix Announces New Plans To Crackdown On Password Sharing

Netflix has announced controversial plans to crack down on users who share their passwords, but most users don't need to worry just yet.

It's become a long-running joke that many of us have no idea whose Netflix account we're actually using, and it seems like the streaming giant no longer sees the funny side.

In a recent update, the company has said it's set to trial a new measure that will see people charged for adding users to their account who live outside their household.

Netflix (Alamy)

The trial, which is set to initially launch in Chile, Costa Rica and Peru with a view to a possible wider rollout, will see Netflix account holders given the option to add 'sub-accounts' for up to two people they don't live with, with the sub-users each given their own profile and password.

'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. While these have been hugely popular, they have also created some confusion about when and how Netflix can be shared,' said Chengyi Long, director of Product Innovation at Netflix.

While most of us have either given out or benefitted from someone else giving out their password to everyone and their dog, doing so actually goes against Netflix's terms and conditions, which states that accounts 'may not be shared with individuals beyond your household'.

@netflix I saw that pilot program you're launching. How do you expect families to handle password sharing in the case of divorcees, their children, or college students away from home? We already pay a lot for it, now you're just milking us for every dollar spent.

— Sam Gray (@swimmergirl427) March 17, 2022

But like. Say for example. You work in different towns or states. Your not home all the time. So you watch Netflix wherever and whenever you can. This thing sounds like it would be annoying for ppl like that. Coz they be logging in on different devices. But not sharing.

— THE vomont (@vomont_twitch) March 16, 2022

Netflix claims that the trend of sharing accounts has been 'impacting our ability to invest in great new TV and films for our members', and that the new 'sub-account' trial is a way to change this.

The sub-accounts are set to cost around a quarter of the price of a full subscription, with each account costing approximately $2.99 USD.

"We recognize that people have many entertainment choices, so we want to ensure any new features are flexible and useful for members, whose subscriptions fund all our great TV and films," Long said, acknowledging that where once Netflix was really the only streaming option in town, viewers are now spoilt for choice following the growth of platforms like Disney+, AppleTV+ and HBO Max.

There's no indication as to whether and when these changes could be brought to more users, with Long saying that Netflix will assess the results of the trial 'before making changes anywhere else in the world'.

In the meantime, if you want to unlock some secret Netflix movie codes, here's how:

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