Netflix users are angry over the new password-sharing rule. However, Netflix has now backtracked, well, kind of.
News of Netflix announcing plans to crack down on password sharing was made apparent in 2019. In March 2022, Netflix then announced it was cracking down on password sharing by testing out new restrictive measures in Chile, Costa Rica and Peru.
Netflix password crackdown is proving unpopular
Furthermore, in May 2022, Netflix rolled out its new restrictive measures in Argentina, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and the Dominican Republic. If account owners want to use their accounts outside of their primary home, they are asked to pay an additional fee.
However, just this week, as reported by The Steamable, Netflix announced those restrictive measures will be getting new features. Yay! While it’s still possible to share accounts, users would not only be required to pay an additional fee but also be required to request a temporary code.
Accessing or sharing an account will be a hassle
It doesn’t matter if you were using your account at a friend’s or relative’s house. What’s more, even while on your travels or on holiday.
The moment you sign in to your Netflix account under a new IP address, you will be blocked. Unless you had the aforementioned temporary code, which will work for seven consecutive days.
Like me, three separate accounts get used within my family in a single household using the same internet access. So people like myself would be fine. However, as you can imagine, wanting to access your account outside of your house could prove to be a little hassle.
What’s more, users sharing an account must also connect to the Wi-Fi at the primary location as well as open the app or website to watch a movie or series at least once in 31 days. As GAMINGbible mentions, if you binge-watch a series on Disney Plus or Amazon Prime Video, you might forget to log in to your Netflix account within the required 31 days.
Sure, I have no doubts that some might take advantage of password sharing. However, there are examples from Twitter user Spoonsnspells who shares an account with her pensioner parents to help them with the cost of living.
Guess I will be cancelling my account then because I pay for some streaming platforms just so I can share them with my 70+ and 80+ yr old pensioner parents so they can watch for free when living costs are increasing and many retirees are becoming homeless. Nice move @netflix.
— SpoonieCat ♿️?️? (@spoonsnspells) February 1, 2023
Netflix has backtracked
However, Netflix has updated the apparent requirement to request a temporary code. Initially, Netflix led us to believe a temporary code would be required for North America as well as South America.
Netflix says that it “errantly” posted information about the code requirement for North America and has now corrected that apparent error.
Update: Netflix is now claiming they “errantly” posted this information (translation: they saw the feedback and pumped the brakes)https://t.co/26U3yaSw9d
— Kendall Baker (@kendallbaker) February 2, 2023
“For a brief time yesterday, a help centre article containing information that is only applicable to Chile, Costa Rica, and Peru, went live in other countries,” a spokesperson told The Streamable. “We have since updated it.”
While this is good news for North America, it’s still not good news for South America. What’s more, it’s only a matter of time before Netflix enforces its new restrictive measures worldwide.
Will you be sticking with Netflix if the restrictive sharing measures are enforced in your region? Let us know across our social media channels.
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Featured Image Credit: Netflix/Source: GAMINGbible via The Steamable 1/2