Netflix To Cease Free Password Sharing In Four Countries

BYEmily Burr1.7K Views
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In this photo illustration, the Netflix logo is seen
In this photo illustration, the Netflix logo is seen displayed on a mobile phone screen. (Photo Illustration by Idrees Abbas/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Netflix will change its password sharing guidelines in four countries. Added fees vary by location.

On Wednesday, Netflix shared its new password-sharing guidelines. The streaming service will first implement these rules and fees for users in Canada, New Zealand, Portugal, and Spain. The streaming company said that users in those countries will be asked to set a "primary location" for their Netflix account. They can establish two "sub accounts" for users who do not live at the primary location. However, there will be an implemented monthly fee per sub account. Canada's monthly fee will be CA$7.99. New Zealand's monthly fee will be NZ$7.99. Portugal's monthly fee will be 3.99 euros. Finally, Spain's monthly fee will be 5.99 euros.

According to Netflix's director of product innovation, Chengyi Long, "“Today, over 100 million households are sharing accounts — impacting our ability to invest in great new TV and films." The company is testing its new policies before the expected domestic launch of them in the United States in March 2023. The price in Canada (CA$7.99) could forecast what it will ultimately charge in the program’s U.S. debut.

Netflix Password Sharing

Netflix logo is displayed on a mobile phone screen for illustration photo. Krakow, Poland on January 23, 2023. (Photo by Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Netflix's Wednesday announcement will roll out immediately, along with a new "Manage Access and Devices" page. This will give users permission to curate who has access to their designated accounts. Users who wish to save the additional monthly fee for "sub accounts" will be able to transfer profiles to new accounts made by those who previously had access. The transferred profiles will maintain all personalizations, recommendations, lists, and viewing history from the original account.

According to Netflix, they will revisit and refine the new account management page based on user feedback from the four countries that will serve as a testing ground. Netflix has decided to make this change due to a huge hit in subscriber numbers for its fourth quarter. This lack of subscriber growth was particularly pertinent in the United States-Canada region of users. This announcement also comes after it was announced that former Netflix CEO, Reed Hastings, would step down from the position. Let us know what you think of this decision, down below.

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