Netflix May Soon Crack Down on Password Sharing

[krfr]

It's not about viewership. It's about paid membership. Say you and your mate pay for four devices so the two of you and your kids can watch at the same time, and Netflix manages successful to block this. Do you stop paying and watching, or do you buy two separate two device memberships?

That’s my point. Some will start paying and other wont. It’s a gamble on their end to hopefully get more subscribers but for me, I havent ever paid for it, I don’t watch it so I’m not their target. But from those who I’ve spoken with, which isn’t many, about half already are thinking of cancelling because of price increases, and their others who share existing accounts say they probably won’t pay for their own.

 

[icanhazmac]

I was able watch this series using a friends account..

Watch Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel | Netflix Official Site

The notorious Cecil Hotel grows in infamy when guest Elisa Lam vanishes. From the creator of "The Ted Bundy Tapes," a dive into crime's darkest places.

www.netflix.com

guess I can’t do that anymore ugh! Greedy Netflix

Why do you consider Netflix greedy when you just admitted that you stole from them?

 

[macjoshua]

I could see them eventually requiring biometric authentication to set up service on a new device. Like, if I sign in on a new Apple TV, I'd have to use FaceID or a fingerprint on my phone to enable access.

They're probably never going to be able to completely do away with people sharing accounts, but the more difficult they make it, the less it will happen.

Making it even 50% more difficult will lead to more subscribers. I have a hard time believing that people are going to cancel their service because they can't share it - unless people are sharing the costs.

 

[triptolemus]

Actually these are some ways Netflix can enforce it:
1. Allow the code to only be shared within a local IP address.
2. Use camera to determine who is who. Netflix dont need to let those photo uploaded to their server.
3. Use processor local machine learning engine to analyse user code entering behaviour and detect “fraudulent” activities.
4. Only display the code within Netflix app, not through text or notification. Notification tells the user to check the code within the app.

Hard pass on all of this, but especially number 2. All this crap just to watch a streaming service? No thank you.

Here's an idea. Scrap all plans except single login and reduce the price accordingly. Problem solved.

 

[LuciusMalfoy]

Well this might be the tip that makes me cancel Netflix. I pay for the screens to be used, and if they want to arbitrarily dictate how I can use them I'll see myself out. Terms of Service don't mean things are acceptable. It's a way for Netflix to have it's cake and eat it too. Might as well pay per screen if that's what they want.

 

[macjoshua]

What if your wife travels alone? Per your own dictionary definition, she's not under the same roof anymore.

She would still have permanent residence under the same roof. That's like saying you'd have to inform the post office and your insurance company every time you go on a short vacation. If my my wife goes and lives somewhere permanently, I've got bigger problems than a Netflix account.

 

[macjoshua]

Well this might be the tip that makes me cancel Netflix. I pay for the screens to be used, and if they want to arbitrarily dictate how I can use them I'll see myself out. Terms of Service don't mean things are acceptable. It's a way for Netflix to have it's cake and eat it too. Might as well pay per screen if that's what they want.

You may think you're paying for that, but Netflix never agreed to that.

 

[SuperMatt]

The issue is if you give the password to your neighbor, cousin, etc. And why, because it's not just about the cost of operation to Netflix, it's the loss of a sale.

I dislike them doing that. I might consider my friend to be just as close as a family member! I’m sure they’ve got some legalese in their terms of service that makes it so your “4 streams” aren’t allowed to be shared as you, the buyer, see fit. If I buy 4 VHS tapes of something, I can lend them out to whoever I want. Digital sales are so borked up, all to the advantage of the big companies, and against the consumer.

 

[ian87w]

She would still have permanent residence under the same roof. That's like saying you'd have to inform the post office and your insurance company every time you go on a short vacation. If my my wife goes and lives somewhere permanently, I've got bigger problems than a Netflix account.

So now the logic of household becomes the same permanent residence under the same roof?

So let's say 4 unrelated people are house sharing, they have the same permanent residence, same roof. Then it's completely kosher for these 4 people to share an account then.

 

[macjoshua]

So now the logic of household becomes the same permanent residence under the same roof?

So let's say 4 unrelated people are house sharing, they have the same permanent residence, same roof. Then it's completely kosher for these 4 people to share an account then.

That's always been the logic. It's a group of people living in the same household, under the same roof.

 

[SuperMatt]

So now the logic of household becomes the same permanent residence under the same roof?

So let's say 4 unrelated people are house sharing, they have the same permanent residence, same roof. Then it's completely kosher for these 4 people to share an account then.

Like people in a condo - I can get together with 3 neighbors and we all share a 4-stream account.

 

[ian87w]

Like people in a condo - I can get together with 3 neighbors and we all share a 4-stream account.

True. And that should not be a big deal, as there's a hard limit of 4 streams, and you are paying for the feature anyway.

 

[macjoshua]

Like people in a condo - I can get together with 3 neighbors and we all share a 4-stream account.

That's not considered a household, so no. If you have 3 roommates in the same condo, then that's legal.

 

[SuperMatt]

That's not considered a household, so no. If you have 3 roommates in the same condo, then that's legal.

Hmm.. I’m pretty sure everybody in my condo building is literally under the same roof.

 

[macjoshua]

I kind of hope Netflix starts going after people who share their accounts with fines or legal means. I would cheer them on at this point. lol.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Why do you consider Netflix greedy when you just admitted that you stole from them?

I had to watch other episodes so i ended up getting a subscription as well. Sorry, if I may have missed out that part. I guess i'll be cancelling it LOL. NETFLIX is still being greedy.

 

[terry.mac]

I know some people keep paying for the subscription because they share the accounts with others. When Netflix no longer allows that, I know the payer will cancel the subscription.

While I am not sure how many of such paying customers exist, I know some people won't miss netflix when they have to pay.

 

[icanhazmac]

I had to watch other episodes so i ended up getting a subscription as well. I guess i'll be cancelling it LOL. NETFLIX is still being greedy.

I'm fairly sure they don't care about being called greedy by an admitted thief. Thumbs down my response all you want but you posted here that you stole from them.

Please tell me how they are being greedy when all they are doing is asking that you pay for their service and adhere to the terms of service.

 

[aaronhead14]

This kind of consumer-hostile nonsense will cause many families to just cancel their accounts altogether. Making your product more cumbersome is a huuuuge no-no.

 

[maxfromdenmark]

I’ve decided to cancel Netflix subscription because a day is still 24 hours long and want to see something else from Disney, HBO and Canal+ It’s the best message for Netflix cancelling subscription once a while to show plans cost too much.
Now Netflix sending me mails about coming back literally every second day 🤪

 

[macjoshua]

This kind of consumer-hostile nonsense will cause many families to just cancel their accounts altogether. Making your product more cumbersome is a huuuuge no-no.

How is user authentication consumer-hostile?

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

I'm fairly sure they don't care about being called greedy by an admitted thief. Thumbs down my response all you want but you posted here that you stole from them.

Please tell me how they are being greedy when all they are doing is asking that you pay for their service and adhere to the terms of service.

Once again, All of a sudden your an expert now? I'm not even going to waste my time replying to you anymore dude! Best wishes and good luck to you. See you in Disneyland

 

[macjoshua]

Once again, All of a sudden your an expert now? I'm not even going to waste my time replying to you anymore dude! Best wishes and good luck to you. See you in Disneyland

Just a warning: they won't let you into Disneyland without paying.

 

[jgelin]

What about if the subscription comes from a phone plan, like T-Mobile? I cannot share it since we are on a family plan but not in the same household? Seems pretty silly.

 

[davemchine]

Sharing with a child going to college count? Technically still a part of the household for a portion of the year.

That was the first thing I thought of. I have two kids who are still dependents but aren't always inside our physical house. I suppose if it just takes coordinating an occasion text verification it might not be a big deal but still a hassle.