Netflix has started rolling out anti-password-sharing measures in four countries: Canada, New Zealand, Portugal, and Europe, and has confirmed more measures are coming.
Here’s everything we know so far, including the truth about what’s happening in the US and UK.
What do Netflix’s new password-sharing measures entail?
Netflix states that a single subscription is intended for use by people who live together in the same household.
It currently only enforces these rules in seven countries at the time of writing (not including the US or the UK). Netflix calls the account’s primary home a “primary location.”
If a user is found to be streaming outside of a primary location – which is detected by a combination of IP addresses, device ID and account activity – then Netflix will invite them either sign up for a brand new account or ask the account holder to add them as an “additional member”.
This means that if you’re using a Netflix account that belongs to a family member or friend to watch things like Stranger Things and The Witcher, you’ll likely face these rules when they roll out in your country.
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Netflix says you should still be able to stream while you’re traveling using a temporary password. It does not specify the duration at the time of writing, but previous information on the help pages stated that the password allowed users to stream for a maximum of seven days.
Netflix also previously said that users who were not based in the primary household would be required to connect to the account holder’s home Wi-Fi network and watch something at least every month if they wanted to continue streaming. .
This information has since been removed from parts of the help pages, but is still available on the Second Home Streaming page.
How much do additional Netflix members cost and what are the limits?
Additional members have access to the Netflix library, but can only have one profile on one device, with no concurrent streams available. They can still download movies and episodes, but can’t create a Kids profile. They must also reside in the same country as the account holder.
Only Standard or Premium plan members can add additional members, so Basic or Basic with Ads plan users will need to upgrade if they want more accounts.
Additional members are the following prices per month:
- Canada – CA$7.99
- New Zealand – $5.04 NZD
- Portuguese – $3.99
- Europe – $5.99
- Costa Rica – $2.99
- Chile – 2,380 CLP
- Peru – 7.9 PEN
Netflix hasn’t confirmed any costs for other countries, but the list above translates to a range of between $3/£2 and $6/£5.
Can you still share a Netflix password in the US and UK?
Yes you can. While this is technically against Netflix’s terms of service, the company has yet to roll out any official measures in the US or UK as it has with other countries.
When will Netflix roll out password sharing rules in the US and UK?
In January, Netflix’s co-CEOs confirmed that password sharing measures would be rolled out globally before the end of the first quarter of this year. However, the company has since delayed the deadline.
In its latest earnings report, Netflix now claims that the international rollout will take place in the second quarter, so before June 30, 2023.
Forbes’ Kate O’Flaherty has contacted Netflix for further clarification and has been told the streaming giant will not be trying to quietly roll out further measures. All information should be communicated very clearly to members, most likely via email.
Why is everyone canceling Netflix?
The Streamable announced on January 31 that Netflix had released a set of new rules regarding password sharing.
The guidelines stated that users based outside of an account holder’s primary household should connect to that home Wi-Fi network and watch something every 31 days. If they didn’t, their accounts would be blocked.
These rules specifically targeted Costa Rica, Peru and Chile, where Netflix had previously tested anti-password sharing measures. However, the help page was mistakenly put online in the section reserved for US members. It has since been deleted.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Netflix clarified this the next day, providing the following quote to The Streamable: “Yesterday, for a brief period, a help center article containing information that only applies to Chile, Costa Rica and Peru, has gone live in other countries. We’ve since updated it. We don’t have any updates to share beyond the fact that we plan to roll it out more widely in Q1.
Most major news outlets (including Tech Advisor) included this caveat, either when they broke the news or as an update. However, social media posts that did not specify. After all, Twitter isn’t exactly the place for nuance.
Many users assumed that this was a change happening worldwide and immediately started canceling their subscriptions. While we don’t know exactly how many users followed a cancellation, research by JohnSlots revealed that searches for the term “Netflix Cancel” skyrocketed to 733%.
You can find out how to cancel Netflix here and check out the different plans if you’re considering downgrading. Additionally, Netflix Basic with Ads is now available on Apple TV.
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