Aimee Walker
Netflix has confirmed a rule change that means millions of users will be charged if they share accounts.
The streaming giant has an estimated 231 million paid subscribers, who tune in to watch its hugely popular film and TV shows.
Netflix is known for dropping hit movies that everyone talks about – including Red Notice, Bird Box, Don’t Look Up and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.
It’s also made a name for itself when it comes to TV shows, with programmes such as Wednesday, Stranger Things, Squid Game and Bridgerton taking the world by storm.
Although the streaming giant has acquired a loyal fanbase over the years, its latest update has divided opinions.
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Netflix is planning a major password crackdown on users who share their account information with family and friends.
It’s already been testing a feature that stops its users from sharing passwords who live at different addresses, however, it’s now being rolled out much wider.
This potentially means that millions of Netflix users will have to pay an extra fee on top of their subscription.
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The streaming giant addressed the change in its latest earnings report.
Netflix says (via Express): “Later in Q1, we expect to start rolling out paid sharing more broadly.
“Today’s widespread account sharing (100m+ households) undermines our long-term ability to invest in and improve Netflix, as well as build our business.”
The streaming giant goes on to say that it’s creating alternatives for people who have been sharing accounts.
Netflix adds: “While our terms of use limit the use of Netflix to a household, we recognise this is a change for members who share their account more broadly.
“So we’ve worked hard to build additional new features that improve the Netflix experience, including the ability for members to review which devices are using their account and to transfer a profile to a new account.
“As we roll out paid sharing, members in many countries will also have the option to pay extra if they want to share Netflix with people they don’t live with.
“As is the case today, all members will be able to watch while travelling, whether on a TV or mobile device.”
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After finding out about Netflix’s plans for a password crackdown, its users are taking to Twitter and criticising the giant for the change.
One person tweeted: “It’s not about ‘sharing’. Netflix wants to tell users how and where they should access their accounts and then financially punish those that don’t follow those rules.
“Pretty messed up, honestly.”
Another adds: “Netflix password crackdown is a huge slap in the face to legacy customers who no longer live under one house household and have stuck along for price increase after price increase.
“Limit the change to last name, please.”
While a third person says: “Bring it on Netflix.
“The moment I can’t share [my] subscription with my family I’m cancelling my account.”
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