The popular streaming platform might be testing a new feature limited to a few users at the moment. The new Netflix feature might restrict password sharing for its customers. This is not the first time Netflix mentions the crackdown on password sharing. In 2019, the company lost an estimated $135 million a month because of customers sharing accounts and swapping passwords and promised to look for ways to limit password sharing.
A basic plan costs $8.99 (Shs 33,000) a month and the user can stream on only one screen at a time. A standard account costs $13.99 (Shs 51,250) and allows users to watch on two screens simultaneously, while a premium plan costs $17.99 (Shs 65,900) a month and allows users of one account to watch on up to four screens.
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Looks like the company has been working on fulfilling its promise. This new Netflix feature might restrict password sharing and users should expect it soon though some have already received the notification to confirm if they live with the owner of the account they are using.
If you are using another person’s account, Netflix is going to send you a notification “If you don’t live with the owner of this account, you need your own account to keep watching.” To verify, Netflix sends you a code to your email or you can choose the option to verify later and watch for an unknown additional amount of time thereafter.
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The new Netflix feature might restrict password sharing for security purposes
Currently, the feature is only available for a few users. A Netflix spokesperson said, “This test is designed to help ensure that people using Netflix accounts are authorized to do so.”
The world has seen a huge shift in viewing with more people moving to stream movies and shows online as a result of the pandemic. A move like this would not be welcomed by many subscribers since the majority of the market are young adults who are sharing passwords with people they are not living with.
According to a news source, a source familiar with the tests said the extent of the rollout varies from country to country, but noted that one reason for the feature is a desire to help protect subscribers from security concerns that can arise from unauthorized use of their account.
The news of this new feature was not well received by many of the company’s customers as they expressed their outrage on social media.
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