Netlfix

Netflix is Cracking Down on Password Sharing by Testing Additional Fees

If you were expecting to use your ex’s Netflix account in perpetuity, we have some sad news. The streamer will be launching a test in select countries that will make primary account holders cough up more cash to add users outside of their immediate household. While a devasting blow for cheapskates across the world, one must remember that those executives’ yachts don’t upgrade themselves.

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Netflix

Image: David Balev

The test will take place in Chile, Costa Rica and Peru, and will charge users a fee of US$2.99 to add a sub-member outside of the house. In a recent blog post titled Paying to Share Netflix Outside Your Household, director of product innovation Chengyi Long explained why the company made the decision to trial this new policy.

“We’ve always made it easy for people who live together to share their Netflix account, with features like separate profiles and multiple streams in our Standard and Premium plans,” Long wrote. “While these have been hugely popular, they have also created some confusion about when and how Netflix can be shared. As a result, accounts are being shared between households — impacting our ability to invest in great new TV and films for our members.”

Long clarified that the tests are being conducted so Netflix can observe the effectiveness of adding the extra fee. “We’ll be working to understand the utility of these two features for members in these three countries before making changes anywhere else in the world,” she added.

Netflix is also utilising the three countries to test a feature that would allow users to transfer profiles to other accounts in an attempt to limit password sharing. At this stage, there are still no plans to roll out the changes permanently across other countries.

Let’s just hope the cash injection doesn’t lead to Tiger King 3.

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Sam Mangioni
Journalist - Entertainment, Culture & Lifestyle

Sam Mangioni

Sam Mangioni is an experienced content producer and the current Entertainment, Culture & Lifestyle Journalist for Man of Many. With an extensive background in digital content production and news, Sam specialises in delivering timely, accurate and witty assessments of current events. Prior to working for Man of Many, Sam spent three years at Southern Cross Austereo where he served as a Content Producer and News Reporter for the flagship Triple M Breakfast Program. The Sydney-based reporter completed a Bachelor of Commerce from Macquarie University Majoring in Marketing in 2014. Sam's work has also featured in Fight News Australia.