Netflix Password Sharing Crackdown Works, U.S. Subscriber Numbers Soar

[Malouff]

What I don’t understand is all the feeling of entitlement. “They won’t let me steal their service so everyone should cancel.” “They sucked anyway.”

No… if they sucked you wouldn’t care that they won’t let you steal from them anymore. If you liked it, then be a decent human and pay for the service that’s being provided.

I was a paying member since January 2011 at the Premium tier for my Household. I enjoyed the watch anywhere experiemce Netflix created. Now with this Household IP tracking for devices with a TV viewing experience it involves more steps.
• I need to take my devices with me that need to be used every 30 days.
Before I used a Fire TV cube at home and either took a Fire TV stick with me when traveling or used whatever device was provided. Now I would need to probably take the Fire TV cube or make sure to also use the Fire TV stick every 30 days so I can take it with me when traveling.
• I need to verify my account with a IP address change via a text or email. This will limit where I can also travel with Netflix. It will work if something isn't moving like a hotel room but not when using a vehicle.
• I would also have kids watch using a Fire TV stick with a HDMI splitter in a vehicle for both seats.
I am sure that the IP address would change multiple times when traveling like this. So now have TV screens, a HDMI splitter, and Fire TV stick that are completely worthless with Netflix. I would need to replace this setup with two tablets instead and now use more mobile data.
Sure I could have used NordVPN and the free Meshnet feature so my devices appear as being home and use the same setup. This would let me bypass the other jumps but would still be jumping through hoops and spending more money (keeping my computer on) to enjoy the same Netflix experience.
It's was easier and less expensive to just cancel Netflix and switch to other streaming providers. Netflix has created a completely different environment with these restrictions.
Netflix honestly should have considered changing their name to HomeFlix or TabletFlix as they are selling a different service. You can no longer use any device at any location without hassle

 

[emulator]

If their sharing their login with 4 other non paying people, is absolutely is stealing.

No, it's not. You can call it pirating if you wish but definitely not stealing.

 

[Jage]

If the “original” subscriber cancels, do the new accounts get to keep theirs at a discount? I could see this be a way to get cheaper Netflix for a while and it would allow Netflix to say they’ve had lots of new sign ups.

Edit: For clarity, can you add a profile on the existing account to a new account for a lower monthly subscription and then cancel the original?

 

[Sevendaymelee]

Well... that's a shame.

 

[BobSc]

Netflix provides a service they expect to be paid for. It’s a business like anything else, looking to make money. Nothing wrong with that.

What I don’t understand is all the feeling of entitlement. “They won’t let me steal their service so everyone should cancel.” “They sucked anyway.”

No… if they sucked you wouldn’t care that they won’t let you steal from them anymore. If you liked it, then be a decent human and pay for the service that’s being provided.

I’m sure part of the reason why subscription prices went up is because all the entitled brats thought they deserved this service for free so honest subscribers are taking the hit for it.

You like it, then pay.
You don’t like it, then stop whining and peace out.

Absolutely correct. What boggles the mind are the people who give a thumbs down to this comment. The excuses given to rationalize theft is also mind boggling. Stealing Netflix is absolutely a crime!

 

[Choco Taco]

Absolutely correct. What boggles the mind are the people who give a thumbs down to this comment. The excuses given to rationalize theft is also mind boggling. Stealing Netflix is absolutely a crime!

It's not a crime. It's a terms of service violation. I don't think you know what that word means.

 

[jimbobb24]

Why does anyone bother with Netflix? Gosh, Tubi, Pluto TV, and Plex have added so many good (and legally free) movies with ads to watch that I no longer see the point. Surely it's not for their garbage programming.

Because Netlfix has their own shows and 75% are crap, 15% are ok, and 10% are amazing. It’s a good all around platform with lots of options.

 

[inkswamp]

Honestly, if I were an exec at Netflix, I wouldn't necessary be celebrating this. Here's what I'm thinking is happening more often than not.

Here's a 20-something that moved out of mom and dad's house within the last few years and can no longer use their parents' Netflix to watch that series they were watching. Damn, they really want to see the rest of that show. Fine, they'll pay for a subscription so they finish that off and then cancel.

Source: my own children. My son told me he thinks Netflix is ridiculously (expletive) greedy and stupid and won't ever subscribe. I wonder how many other 20-somethings out there now have a tarnished image of Netflix as a result of this.

 

[jonblatho]

I agree it’s surely a well-researched plan I just think in the longer term there will be more shrink from this model. Sharing likely locked people into paying for Netflix longer than they otherwise would have… now that it’s going to be individuals making decisions it I think customers will be more likely to sign up and then cancel once they’ve consumed whatever they like.

That’s exactly what happened with my parents and me. They used a profile on my account. I told them about this upcoming change and offered to help them set up their own account if they wanted. They said they don’t watch it much at this point — not enough to pay for it on their own — and neither do I. In fact, I’d go months at a time without watching and only continue paying because my parents were on the account.

So, they went from one active subscription to zero. I’ll only restart my subscription if there’s content I’m actually interested in and I expect to have time to knock it out in a month.

My sincere apologies to @Nicole1980 for this brazen theft.

 

[Realityck]

It’s not a crime. It’s a terms of service violation. People won’t go to jail for sharing passwords. At most, an account would be banned.

In the USA its talking about the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (“CFAA”), codified at Title 18, United States Code, Section 1030, is an important law for prosecutors to address cyber-based crimes. Yes an example would be accessing a web site not just a computer as a violation. The same would apply to what terms of agreement you have with a web based business or service. It doesn't apply to criminal activities such as illegal reproduction or theft of licensed works or software code that a web site or computer is hosting.

In this example one must view Netflix just as an online business aka web site. Using an another's party password to access the site violating their terms of service can only be looked at as you said a terms of service violation. Netflix is wholly in their right to terminating the service provided, even permanently ban individuals thats all they can do.

 

[williamkey123]

Was the increase in other countries sustained? It doesn't surprise me that subscriptions went up, but do they stay past the free trial period?

 

[iOS Geek]

Hmm...lots of people are demanding from Apple access to the API's and customer base but don't want to pay the fees for that access and say the fees are unfair. Remember the whole "30% is unfair" thing? Me too.

The forcing to allow 3rd party app stores? Same thing. Wanting access to the customers Apple has gathered by developing hardware and software. They want 3rd party app stores to get around fees and rules regarding a product that a for-profit company made.

So by your logic, we should be ditching the plan to force Apple to allow 3rd party app stores and Apple should also go back to 30% for all developers, no exceptions. Right?

EDIT: Interesting. I provided a current example. The silence...speaks volumes. 🤔

 

[Choco Taco]

In the USA its talking about the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (“CFAA”), codified at Title 18, United States Code, Section 1030, is an important law for prosecutors to address cyber-based crimes. Yes an example would be accessing a web site not just a computer as a violation. The same would apply to what terms of agreement you have with a web based business or service. It doesn't apply to criminal activities such as illegal reproduction or theft of licensed works or software code that a web site or computer is hosting.

In this example one must view Netflix just as an online business aka web site. Using an another's party password to access the site violating their terms of service can only be looked at as you said a terms of service violation. Netflix is wholly in their right to terminating the service provided, even permanently ban individuals thats all they can do.

It's not a cyber-based crime. It's a terms of service violation due to a recent business model shift with Netflix. Neflix used to encourage password-sharing. Sharing your password is not a crime punishable with jail time. The worst that can happen is they ban your account. If you hacked Netflix and started uploading their content on torrenting sites, that would be a cyber-based crime.

 

[Realityck]

It's not a cyber-based crime. It's a terms of service violation due to a recent business model shift with Netflix. Neflix used to encourage password-sharing. Sharing your password is not a crime punishable with jail time. The worst that can happen is they ban your account. If you hacked Netflix and started uploading their content on torrenting sites, that would be a cyber-based crime.

Did you go to the CFAA web site and look at the first sentence? Thats what they have written. That statement doesn't mean its cyber-based crime, it means it's an important law for prosecutors to know how address cyber-based crimes. Access violations are not criminal.

 

[GizmoDVD]

They started it everywhere else in the world (including here in Canada) and subscriber numbers rose significantly after they stYou basically have a bunch of posters who thought they were smarter than the MBAs running Netflix.

I

Your examples are terrible. You keep equating password-sharing with theft. And it isn't. If someone is paying for 4 streams, then only 4 people can watch Netflix at the same time. So if all 4 people are watching Netflix, there is not a loss in bandwidth, because that bandwidth is covered by the account allowing up to 4 multiple streams. What's lost here is potential revenue from new customers, something Netflix didn't used to have a problem with because they encouraged password-sharing in the past. And because they've had a loss of subscribers due to some recent stupid business decisions (and promoting pedophilic content like Cuties), they are now trying to gain new subscribers with a new business model. Something can't be both right and wrong at the same time. Netflix used to be fine with password-sharing when it was profitable. Due to recent circumstances, they are changing their business model to try and bring in new customers, which is fine. My problem is not with your issue with password-sharing (which again used to be okay with Netflix), my issue is with you equating sharing a password with swiping a MacBook from the Apple Store, which is incomprehensibly ridiculous. 4 streams are being paid for. 4 streams are being used. But the potential for new customers is lost.

Quit going through these crazy mental gymnastics to try and equate sharing your paid for multiple simultaneous streams with stealing a car or something. It's not the same. Especially, and again, because Netflix used to encourage password-sharing. Which seems to be a point which you won't dare touch because it refutes literally everything you are saying.

Netflix no longer encourages password sharing. It’s done. It’s over. They are a business.

 

[Realityck]

Netflix’s password-sharing crackdown got me — here’s what happened

I’m proof that Netflix’s password-sharing crackdown works

www.tomsguide.com

I’ve got a confession to make, for the past few years, my family has used a single Netflix account. We all live in different locations, but share passwords across several of the best streaming services.

When Netflix confirmed that its password-sharing crackdown was coming, I knew that the shared streaming party was over and that I was going to have to cough up the cash for my own account. After a few delays, and some confusing messaging, I’ve now had a first-hand experience with Netflix’s new initiative.

This new tactic aims convert the 100 million users it estimates are accessing the service via password-sharing into (partially) or full paying subscribers. So, here’s what happened when I encountered Netflix’s password-sharing crackdown for myself.

 

[citysnaps]

💯 but it still boggles my mind. I don’t know, maybe I grew up in a different generation. Walking around all day during snow storms with a shovel asking people if they want their walkways and driveways cleaned up for a couple bucks. I’d be upset too if they didn’t pay after the work was done.

Yeah... I mowed lawns.

I think the difference is today stealing is viewed as OK as long as you can get away with it. The result of bad parenting.

 

[Shanghaichica]

If their sharing their login with 4 other non paying people, is absolutely is stealing. What planet do you live on?

I’m not stealing anything. I pay for my subscription.

 

[inkswamp]

Yeah... I mowed lawns.

I think the difference is today stealing is viewed as OK as long as you can get away with it. The result of bad parenting.

That's a simplistic view of things. Look at the example of someone who lived with their parents using Netflix. Parents are paying the bill, everyone gets to watch on their own TVs, in different rooms, on the road, whatever. The child moves out on their own and continues to use Netflix because it's being paid for and that seems to be the rules.

Do you think that person is guilty of theft? I don't. That was never Netflix's model. The young person is using a paid account to access media. Where's the theft?

Then, out of the blue, because Netflix's executives can't think of any other way to increase revenue, they change the rules and suddenly using a family account remotely is forbidden. Predictably, people get annoyed.

Let's use your mowing lawns analogy. It would be like you returning to someone's house after you had mowed lawns for years and years and suddenly announcing that you never actually considered the back and front yard part of the same deal and that they have to pay for each separately. On top of that, you respond to their annoyance by accusing them of theft and having bad parents.

Does that make sense to you?

 

[I7guy]

That's a simplistic view of things. Look at the example of someone who lived with their parents using Netflix. Parents are paying the bill, everyone gets to watch on their own TVs, in different rooms, on the road, whatever. The child moves out on their own and continues to use Netflix because it's being paid for and that seems to be the rules.

Do you think that person is guilty of theft? I don't. That was never Netflix's model. The young person is using a paid account to access media. Where's the theft?

Then, out of the blue, because Netflix's executives can't think of any other way to increase revenue, they change the rules and suddenly using a family account remotely is forbidden. Predictably, people get annoyed.

Let's use your mowing lawns analogy. It would be like you returning to someone's house after you had mowed lawns for years and years and suddenly announcing that you never actually considered the back and front yard part of the same deal and that they have to pay for each separately. On top of that, you respond to their annoyance by accusing them of theft and having bad parents.

Does that make sense to you?

So it’s back to the scenario that any person that is not living in the primary location can use a Netflix account as long as it’s being paid for.

My kids used to live with me and now they don’t and now because of the rule change have their own Netflix account. But because they used to live with me that fits your model. And yes, I’m annoyed but it is what it is. A for profit corporation providing a consumer discretionary service that changed their tos.

It’s not Netflix’ model at this point. And your lawn mowing analogy is flawed as citysnaps is allowed to charge what he wants on a going forward basis and it’s up to his customers to decide if they want his service after the change in tos.

 

[danny1305]

Why does anyone bother with Netflix? Gosh, Tubi, Pluto TV, and Plex have added so many good (and legally free) movies with ads to watch that I no longer see the point. Surely it's not for their garbage programming.

Ah, the typical “I don’t like something so I think nobody should like it” attitude. Nice

 

[citysnaps]

The child moves out on their own and continues to use Netflix because it's being paid for and that seems to be the rules.

Do you think that person is guilty of theft? I don't. That was never Netflix's model. The young person is using a paid account to access media. Where's the theft?

The child moving out on their own, in their own place, should enroll in their own Netflix service.

I get it. You believe they should be entitled to free service forever on their parents account.

That is not covered in Netflix's terms of service and is thus theft of service.

 

[Ghost31]

Meh. If you objectively look at it and say it out loud, it sounds silly to be upset about. “I have an account and I want other non paying people who aren’t even in my household to use it as well. Instead of paying for their own, they can just use mine and get it for free”

Like I get it’s cool we’ve been able to do it for so long but my god. If it was valuable enough for people to care about sharing and losing it, it should be valuable enough to pay for shouldn’t it? These people clutching their pearls all “if I can’t let a bunch of people that aren’t even in my household use my account for free, well then I’m canceling”. Ok? Good. Cancel. And if they care so much about not using Netflix they can pay for their own account.

And all this fake “Netflix doesn’t have anything good anyway. I don’t even like it”. Then why did you have it? Most of you are full of crap and upset because it DOES provide value for you or someone using your account you just don’t want to pay more. Or make them pay. The whole thing is stupid.

 

[BobSc]

Why does anyone bother with Netflix? Gosh, Tubi, Pluto TV, and Plex have added so many good (and legally free) movies with ads to watch that I no longer see the point. Surely it's not for their garbage programming.

Seriously? I've tried some of those channels. Most are garbage. Pluto's GUI is horrific and very hard to navigate. Ads???? Please. I'm happy to pay Netflix for great video quality shows with NO ads. I also subscribe to Max/HBO, Amazon, and MGM+. I can easily afford all of them and more. If you can't and are forced to deal with ads, well....

 

[SBlue1]

Don't fool yourself, kiddo. They haven't started kicking anyone off yet. Once that happens the cancellations will ramp up.

I can't cancel Netflix cause I didn't pay anyway So if they kick me I will sign up with my own account. I got Amazon Prime and NFL Gamepass, so Netflix will be my third service. That's more than enough for my needs, I won't need crappy Disney or Apple TV as well.