Netflix users in the UK may be asked to input a PIN sent to the main account holder within 15 minutes.
It’s part of a clamp down on password sharing this spring following trials in some countries. Netflix feels that password sharing is now suppressing subscriber growth. According to some reports, up to 100 million households worldwide use a shared password to access Netflix.
Netflix will monitor Device IDs and IP addresses to police its new rules, expected to start rolling out this spring.
Earlier this week, it accidentally published details of a plan that would require users to log in and watch something on Netflix on their home wi-fi network at least once every 31 days. This isn’t yet live in the UK, but gives an indication of what is likely to be coming to Netflix customers in the UK soon.
What are the new restrictions to stop password sharing?
- Netflix will identify your home wi-fi or internet connection, i.e. the one you use to watch Netflix on your TV. It’ll look at other devices connecting to Netflix on your account, to see if they are also on the same internet connection.
- When someone signs into your Netflix account from a device that Netflix thinks is not associated with your “Netflix household”, or if your account is accessed persistently from a location outside of your household, it may ask you to verify that device before it can be used to watch Netflix.
- Netflix may suddenly ask for a PIN. The PIN is sent to the main account holder via email or phone. The PIN will need to be entered onto the device that triggered the PIN request within 15 minutes. The idea behind this is that if the Netflix password is shared with someone outside of the household, that isn’t enough time to get in touch with the account holder before the device is deactivated.
Can I still allow someone else to have access to my Netflix account?
- Yes, but Netflix will soon require you to add that person to your account for an extra fee. This will be £2.40 per extra member. They will then have their own password to access Netflix. The extra member needs live in the same country as you.
- This does not apply to people living in your household. But, for example, if you have grown-up children who are no longer living at home, you have the choice of paying extra for them. Alternatively, you may decide they should have their own Netflix account.
- Netflix announced yesterday that the number of devices that can be attached to a Premium Plan account is increasing from four to six.
Can I turn off device verification on Netflix?
- No. But, Netflix says that “as long as the device being used to watch Netflix is using the internet connection in the primary account owner’s household, we will not require verification.”
Is password sharing illegal?
- The UK’s Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has said it is illegal to access such services without paying a subscription. However it is up to Netflix and indeed other streaming services to enforce this.
Iain Hatton