Netflix has started to roll out its paid password-sharing plan in the United States and other markets across the world while intensifying its crackdown on password-sharing, a common practice among subscribers. Last year, it began testing this plan in countries such as Peru, Chile, and Costa Rica as a $3 add-on.
The streaming giant is now dishing out emails to members who are sharing their Netflix account access to people outside their household, telling them that non-household members will require an additional fee.
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Also, Netflix is offering an extra member slot to Standard and Premium members to share their Netflix account with someone who doesn’t live with them.
Here are the options presented by Netflix:
Transfer a profile: Each account user can transfer their profile to a new membership that they personally pay for.
Purchase an extra membership: If you wish to share your Netflix account with someone not living in your household, you can do so by paying an additional $7.99 per month.
It's worth noting that Netflix's position has evolved. Initially, they encouraged customers to share their passwords with friends and family members outside their household. However, the company has now revised its stance in a recent blog post, stating that an account is intended for use by a single household.
As for the consequences of not opting for an extra membership and continuing to share your password, it remains uncertain. It's possible that individuals with whom you're sharing the service will eventually lose access. It may only be a matter of time before Netflix takes action to restrict access to such accounts if they are technically capable of doing so.
"A Netflix account is for use by one household. Everyone lining in that household can transfer Netflix where ever they are - at home, on the go, on holiday --- and take advantage of new features like Transfer Profile and Manage Access and Devices,' a Netflix statement regarding the move said.
"We recognize that our members have many entertainment choices. It's why we continue to invest heavily in a wide variety of new films and TV shows - so whatever your taste, mood or language and whoever you're watching with, there's always something satisfying to watch on Netflix."