Netflix has always been a ‘sharing is caring’ kind of app. Friends who have multiple devices supporting plans often share their login credentials with their friends to spread the love. Until now, it has been pretty easy for users to share their passwords with their friends, but it all seems to be ending now. Netflix might soon ask password-sharing friends to get their own accounts.
Freeloaders Getting Verification Notice On Netflix
If you’re a freeloader or your friend is a freeloader on your account, then you should start checking out Netflix plans. Some users have reported that they see a pop-up/notice asking them to get their own account when they log in via their friends’ credentials. These pop-ups ask if the account belongs to them and then commands to verify the ownership via verification code sent to the email address.
Interestingly, Netflix is offering a 30-day free trial to users who fail to verify their ownership. Netflix has never offered such a trial, which means that it really wants these regular viewers to become paying viewers.
In a statement given to The Verge, Netflix’s spokesperson said: “This test is designed to help ensure that people using Netflix accounts are authorized to do so.”
The users who get the pop-up can get around the hiccup by choosing the ‘verify later’ option. But, it is not clear how long Netflix is allowing this workaround. Also, the verification process seems to be pretty basic. The real owners can easily help their friends verify the account by sharing the verification code delivered to their email or phone numbers.
This is why we think that Netflix is just warming up to the idea for now. If it plans on cracking down on the freeloaders, it can come with stringent restrictions to keep them at bay.
Reading The Fine Print Of Terms & Conditions
Under its terms of service, Netflix states:
The Netflix service and any content viewed through our service are for your personal and non-commercial use only and may not be shared with individuals beyond your household.
Also, Netflix’s CEO had earlier spoken on the issue of users sharing their credentials. Here’s what he said:
Password sharing is something you have to learn to live with, 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.
In its current state, the verification pop-up seems to be a way by Netflix to ensure the authenticity of the account. But one can’t overlook the untapped opportunity to increase the subscriber base if the streaming service seriously starts clamping down on password-sharing outside the household.
Of course, it may also have a downside, but Netflix is the leading streaming service that has now become an essential service for users. It won’t be easy to walk away from it.
