It’s no longer a secret for anyone, Netflix wants to prohibit the sharing of accounts between people who do not live under the same roof. Theoretically forbidden since forever, this practice was until now widely tolerated. The streaming giant, faced with disappointing results, hopes to generate new sources of income through this channel, as sharing will become chargeable.
A method to prevent account sharing
What we do not know, however, is how Netflix intends to go about preventing a subscriber from sharing his account. In a new frequently asked questions section on its site, the service provides part of the answer.
The platform specifies from the outset that people who live in another dwelling “will have to use their own account” to access content. And that if they are spotted as being away from home, they can “be blocked from their access to Netflix”.
Concretely, the company will collect information such as the IP address, the identifiers of the devices used and the activity of the account in order to determine if a connected device is indeed present at its main location.
If a computer, tablet or smartphone launches in a different location, a temporary code should allow login for 7 days. This option is intended to allow people on the move to continue to benefit from their subscription.
On the other hand, you will still need to connect to Netflix at your main place of residence at least once every 31 days. The platform mentions a Wi-Fi connection, which may seem a little surprising because some of its customers use an Ethernet port. It will be necessary to see over time if the technique is effective. For the time being, it is difficult to see how it will prevent two relatives from really sharing their connections.
It remains to be seen when Netlix will take the plunge? In a recent letter to investors, the entertainment giant said: “We expect to roll out the paid account sharing option sometime in the first quarter of 2023. […] although our terms restrict the use of Netflix in the home, we recognize that this involves changes for members who shared their account more widely. »
Netflix risks big
Netflix is walking on eggshells with this measure, and the company knows it. Many subscribers indeed share their accounts with a member of their family or friends, and they could be tempted to terminate their contract to see the side of the competition.
Moreover, the platform recently launched an offer at 6 euros per month with advertising to give a low-cost alternative to its customers. The latter is acclaimed by the French and more than a million people have already subscribed.
