Netflix has revealed how it plans to crack down on password sharing. The streaming service has explained that users will be required to sign in on the account holder’s household Wi-Fi network and watch something at least every 31 days.
If they don’t, then the entire account may be blocked from using the platform.
This information was first obtained by The Streamable from Netflix’s help pages, but at the time of writing is only available on the information page for Costa Rica specifically. Whether this method will apply to other countries such as the US and UK remains to be seen.
If it does roll out, then we expect it to be in the next few months, as Netflix mentioned back in January that the password sharing curb would be coming in the first financial quarter of 2023.
The streaming giant is calling the main household of an account a “primary location”. Anyone using the Wi-Fi in that location can stream Netflix as usual – the way that the company always intended.
Netflix will detect people who stream from an account outside of the primary location through a combination of “IP addresses, device IDs, and account activity”. If you happen to be traveling, then Netflix has added a solution for bypassing a block.
You can request a temporary code from Netflix via email or text which will last for seven days whilst you’re on a trip. Netflix hasn’t yet provided a solution if your holiday lasts longer than this.
If you’ve moved homes then you’ll need to update your primary household address in your Netflix settings. If you don’t manually set one up when you first sign up, Netflix will automatically assign you one based on your account activity and most-used IP address.
If you’re simply password sharing, then Netflix is asking account holders to either add people as extra members (though there is only one profile with no simultaneous streams available) or simply buy their own account.
The looming end of password sharing may put a financial strain on many users. If that’s you, check out my top five money-saving hacks for streaming.
Author: Hannah Cowton, Senior Staff Writer
Hannah Cowton is a Senior Staff Writer at Tech Advisor and Macworld, working across entertainment, consumer technology and lifestyle. Her interests and specialities lie in streaming services, film and television reviews and rumours, gaming, wearables and smart home products. She's also the creator of The London Geek, a geek culture and lifestyle blog.