Is This the End of Netflix Password Sharing?
The test is raising worries Netflix is going to put an end to password sharing among family members. But the company says the effort is merely targeted at stopping strangers from using someone’s Netflix account.
By Michael Kan
Is Netflix preparing to crack down on password sharing?
The streaming service has been testing a new security measure that can block access to a Netflix account if you don’t live in the same household as the actual account holder.
Earlier this week, Twitter user @DOP3Sweet posted a picture of the security measure in action, which was noticed by GammaWire. The security measure will interrupt your Netflix access and display a prompt that says “If you don’t live with the owner of this account, you need your own account to keep watching.”
The prompt includes a button to start a 30-day free trial with the service. However, you can regain access by requesting Netflix to send a verification code that’ll be sent to the original account holder’s email address or cell phone number. The code can then be typed in to lift the block.
If you do borrow Netflix from a friend or family member, then it probably wouldn’t be too hard to get the verification code from them. The same prompt also includes another button, which says “Verify Later.” The Twitter user @DOP3Sweet said she clicked this option, and since then, she hasn’t lost access or seen the prompt again.
The security measure is raising worries Netflix is going to put an end to password sharing among friends and family members. However, the company is signaling the feature is merely a small-scale test focused on trying to stop hackers from using a Netflix account.
“This test is designed to help ensure that people using Netflix accounts are authorized to do so,” the company told CNBC in a statement. Netflix added that it tries “hundreds” of tests with select customers each year.
It’s true strangers can get access to a Netflix account by successfully guessing the email address and password or by buying the login information from cybercriminals on the digital black market. These hacked Netflix accounts can sometimes sell only for a few dollars each.
Nevertheless, a wider crackdown on password sharing could also help Netflix bring in more customers, and thus generate more revenue. One research firm estimates 33% of people who subscribe to services like Netflix share their passwords to people outside their household.
Netflix didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Originally published at https://www.pcmag.com.
