New details on Netflix measures to prevent password sharing have surfaced online, revealing how the platform plans to crack down on users.
Newly found information was discovered in the US Netflix Help Center and confirmed by The Streamable (opens in a new tab) January 31; however, this page has already been removed. At the time of writing, the Help Center has reverted to its previous state. Fortunately, a copy of the terms and conditions can still be found on the site Wayback Machine (opens in a new tab)a website that takes “screenshots” of the internet for the sake of posterity.
According to reports, “Netflix accounts can still be shared, but only within one household.” No one outside your home will be able to use this account and will be asked to create their own account.
The platform will also require users to log into their Netflix account via their household’s Wi-Fi, open the app, and “watch something at least once every 31 days.” This will register the device as “trusted”. It is not known exactly what will happen if you do not log in once a month, but judging by the wording, your account will be locked. And if that happens, you’ll have to contact Netflix for help.
Travel woes
Things get a bit problematic if you decide to travel. The the policy states that Netflix uses identifying information for example, “IP addresses, device IDs, and account activity to determine if a device” is connected to your primary location. But if you travel “or live between different places… for an extended period of time” – presumably more than 31 days – your account may be banned. Streamable’s report says that if you’re on vacation away from home, you can ask Netflix for a temporary passcode so you can watch content on the platform for “seven consecutive days.”
The number of devices that can be connected to your account depends on the plan you have. Both the Basic with ads and Basic plans only support one device. Up to two can be connected as standard.
Premium, on the other hand, increases the number of devices users can connect to from four to six, according to last announcement (opens in a new tab). In addition, Premium members will be able to enjoy more content in surround sound as the platform extends this feature to more than 700 of the most watched Netflix titles, such as Stranger things.
A different set of rules
Although Netflix removed the US page, the rules still apply on the platform Costa Rica Help Center (opens in a new tab)but they are a bit different.
The Costa Rican measure allows Standard and Premium users to add a person who does not live with them to their account an additional $3 per month (opens in a new tab). Additional members must also have accounts in the same country as the original account holder. Other than that, the rules are the same as requiring you to log in and use the service every 31 days. So if you’re thinking of going to Costa Rica, creating an account, then leaving, it doesn’t look like Netflix will allow it.
It is possible that the Costa Rican version of the rules may not apply to the United States or anywhere else outside of Latin America. The platform does not seem ready to introduce its anti-password measures. We reached out to Netflix to ask when the new rules will go live in the US (previous reports said March 2023) and will they resemble the Costa Rican measures in any way? This story will be updated if we get a response.
If you don’t know what to watch on Netflix, be sure to check it out TechRadar’s top 30 videos list on the platform.