Confusion around Netflix account sharing

While Netflix has always been in favor of users sharing their accounts, we are now seeing the company backtracking on this. A test in Peru, which tackles password dividers, is already causing chaos. Because the video streaming service didn’t announce the changes…

Netflix users in Peru, Costa Rica and Chile already have to believe: they have to pay extra for their subscription when they share their accounts with John and everyone. This is part of an experiment that has been running since March. But that experiment is causing a lot of confusion.

Because as it turns out: the majority of users were not informed of this. In some cases, more than two months later, this has still not happened. There is also a difference in the enforcement of the new policy. Some users can continue to use shared accounts without having to prove they own that account or are part of the household. The new policy there therefore seems to be of little benefit for the time being.

What is a household for Netflix?

To complete the confusion, there is also a fuss about the definition ‘household’. What exactly is a household for Netflix? You would say that these are family members who live in the same house as the account owner. But that turns out not to be the case, a customer service employee reports anonymously to the website Rest of World†

The employee in question had to hand out verification codes to people who log into a shared account outside the household. As a result, it is still possible for password sharers to view the content they want without having to pay extra.

To clarify, this is stated in the official rules†

A Netflix account is for people who together form one household. This household is the Netflix household. It is linked to the main account owner’s devices and other people’s devices that are part of the Netflix household.

Additional costs for account sharers

The experiment previously showed that Netflix charges about two to three dollars for people who fall outside the household. That is converted about 1.87 to 2.81 euros, excluding VAT. This allows you to add up to two people outside your household to your account.

Because the amount is so low, this seems to be a great deal and it doesn’t look like Netflix is ​​trying to make big bucks on this. Perhaps this is also a bit for the stage, to reassure investors and to show that the company does tackle problems.

At the time of writing, it is not yet clear when Netflix will also charge more money for account sharers in the Netherlands and Belgium. If so, it’s good to know that such a surcharge is still cheaper than the cheapest subscription to the service.

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