Netflix Attempting To Crack Down On Password Sharing Technology

[Crabtree]

Netflix is testing a new feature that could signal the start of an effort to crack down on password sharing.

Spotted by GammaWire, some viewers attempting to use somebody else's account are now being stopped by a screen that says, "If you don't live with the owner of this account, you need your own account to keep watching."

Netflix confirmed the new feature, which is getting a limited rollout at this time. "This test is designed to help ensure that people using Netflix accounts are authorized to do so," a Netflix spokesperson said.

In order to continue watching, the viewer is given the option of either verifying their identity (with a texted or emailed code to the account's owner), or opting to "verify later," which gives the viewer an unspecified additional amount of time to continue watching and later confirm they are a valid account user.

A source familiar with the tests said the extent of the rollout varies from country to country, but noted that one reason for the feature is a desire to help protect subscribers from security concerns that can arise from unauthorized use of their account.

The move potentially represents the beginning of a strategy shift by Netflix, which has historically not attempted to police password sharing. "Password sharing is something you have to learn to live with," Netflix CEO Reed Hastings declared in 2016, "because there's so much legitimate password sharing — like you sharing with your spouse, with your kids … so there's no bright line, and we're doing fine as is."

 

[Birdman]

If they're paying for the account it's up to them who they give the password to.

 

[Deleted member 63]

How are they determining this? If they are using IP address, what's to say it isn't the owner "roaming" (e.g. watching on a device while travelling)? Or are they tracking device info somehow and raising the flag if it is from a previously unused device (which could still be the legit owner getting new toys). I guess that what I am saying is that I get what they are doing but hope they are doing it in a way that doesn't inconvenience their customers too much.

 

[Deleted member 63]

Another story on it from the National Post, one of Canada's major papers.

Access denied: Netflix clamps down on password sharing

It’s not looking great for Netflix freeloaders

nationalpost.com

I have never loaned mine, even to my son, so no worries here.

 

[Welshy]

First they increase the price even after a massive surge in revenues and now this. cnuts.

I have the higher subscription level so as to enable 4K, and I've got 3 other people for whom I've created profiles and shared the password. If I get a code via text I'll just give them the code.