Netflix is currently cracking down on password sharing outside a subscriber’s household. The streaming service has since acknowledged people handing out Netflix passwords to others who might not live with them. Though, past efforts have done almost nothing to lessen the curb. So, Netflix made it easier by not charging more, but this could change starting now.
Netflix is going to test two new features for subscribers in Costa Rica, Peru, and Chile. The first one is called “Add an Extra Member,” which will allow Standard and Premium users to add sub accounts up to two people who do not live with them. The sub-users will have their own profile, login, and password. The owner will pay an extra 2.99 USD in Costa Rica, 7.9 PEN in Peru, and 2,380 CLP in Chile, added to the cost of their Standard and Premium subscription.
Another feature is called “Transfer Profile to a New Account”, which will allow Basic, Standard, and Premium subscribers to transfer their profile information to a whole new account or an Extra Member sub-account. If you are watching The Witcher from another subscriber, but plans to be a subscriber yourself, you can just continue to watch where you left off.
Netflix has considered that people share accounts with friends and family who live outside their home. They indeed have made it easier with providing features such as separate profiles and multiple streams for Standard and Premium users. But, these features don’t generate additional revenues, which is needed to fund more new shows in the works.
"While these have been hugely popular, they have also created some confusion about when and how Netflix can be shared. As a result, accounts are being shared between households – impacting our ability to invest in great new TV and films for our members," Netflix Product Innovation director, Chengyi Long said on Wednesday. "So for the last year we've been working on ways to enable members who share outside their household to do so easily and securely, while also paying a bit more," he continued.
It has not been clarified yet on whether Netflix is going to expand the adding of these new features beyond the three countries mentioned. Netflix had 221.8 million paying subscribers at the end of 2021, with 75.2 million in the U.S. and Canada, according to Variety.
Photo By: Power Technology
