Netflix might limit password sharing

Dilyara Umyarova
Nov 2 · 3 min read

Netflix, the world’s giant internet entertainment service, has expressed concerns about password sharing activity. The password sharing has been in the spot for quite a while for Netflix Inc. but now it has reached another turning point and the rules for limiting password sharing option might be provided. Let’s take a closer look at what is going on.

How many profiles does Netflix allow for one account?

Currently, every subscriber is allowed to have up to five different profiles with their movie preferences and watching library. The subscriber can choose the monthly paid plan, which is $8.99 for Basic (allows streaming only on one device at a time); $12.99 for Standart plan ( allows watching on two screens at a time with high definition HD) and $15.99 for Premium (allows to watch on 4 devices in high or ultra high definition at the same time.

Sharing password issue has reached a new level

So while the number of users is defined by the policies of Netflix, the amount of people login in with the users’ credentials is not clear. Netflix subscribers have been sharing their login information with friends and family members and it became a common practice for using the platform. But according to Netflix product chief Greg Peters the situation has reached a new level and the company is considering to crackdown on password sharing.

According to Magid, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon and other streaming platforms are losing millions of dollars while subscribers share their passwords with friends and family members. So on the one hand, it’s a convenient way for customers but on the other hand, creates revenue growth problems for the streaming platforms. If we look at the numbers, then “9% of customers sharing passwords, but 35% of millennials share passwords for streaming

It might be not safe

Except for the revenue loss, there are cybersecurity concerns. When a subscriber shares his login credentials, he becomes vulnerable to information leaking, phishing or other threats involved. So if someone your share passwords with knows your email and you use the same password for different apps, it might be easy to access your online banking etc.

The forthcoming changes in sharing accounts

Netflix definitely doesn’t want to lose their subscribers but implementing the ban on sharing passwords might lead to it. The streaming platform can consider identifying the real paying subscriber while not granting the full capacity services to the non-subscribed ones or other methods not to close down the “sharing system” completely.

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