Netflix has announced its plans to crack down on password sharing several times. The streaming service rolled out the new rules to four countries on Wednesday: Spain, Portugal, Canada and New Zealand.
Users who want to share their account with people outside their ‘main location’ will now have to pay an ‘additional member account’ fee. With the Standard subscription this is possible for one extra user and with Premium for two. The option is not available with the Basic plans.
Prices vary by country
From the new announcement shows that the prices of the surcharge differ per country. In Spain it costs 6 euros per month, while in Portugal it costs only 4 euros. The reason for the price difference is not clear.
Of ‘additional members‘ can watch Netflix on one device at a time, can download movies and series on one phone or tablet for offline viewing and can only have one profile. The additional member must also create his account in the same country as where the main owner created his account. Furthermore, adding additional members will not work if the Netflix subscription is paid through providers or third parties.
Applicable worldwide soon
Netflix lost subscribers for the first time in the first half of 2022 due to increased competition, after which the company announced that it would take stricter action against account sharing. About 100 million Netflix users share their login details with friends, colleagues or family members.
According to Netflix, the stricter rules will be rolled out to all countries in the coming months. It is not yet known when it will be the turn of the Netherlands.
Always watch when traveling
In the countries where the new policy has taken effect, users can set a ‘main location’. “As a result, anyone living in your household can use your Netflix account,” the streaming service said. Subscribers will also get new options for managing who has access to their account.
Netflix reiterates its promise that subscribers can continue watching on their personal devices while traveling, such as on vacation, or if they “log into a new TV, such as at a hotel or vacation rental.”
Cheaper subscription
Netflix also launched a cheaper subscription in November, where users see commercial breaks. That cheap option is now available in twelve countries, but it is not yet known when it will be launched in the Netherlands.
