Netflix recently shocked subscribers when they their new rules regarding password sharing were revealed. However, Netflix soon after claimed those rules weren’t for the United States, and removed the list of rules altogether. Now Netflix has clarified the confusing regarding their rules for password sharing.
Specifically, they cleared the air with fans using their Twitter account alongside an update on their official website. Of course, there’s still some backlash from users, but Netflix seems rather positive about the direction they’re heading in.
Here’s the statement they released via Twitter that explained the situation in a clearer light:
“We know there’s been a lot of confusion about sharing Netflix.
“A Netflix account is intended for one household, so we’re rolling out new features in Canada, New Zealand, Portugal, and Spain (and more broadly in the coming months) to give you more control over your account…”
We know there’s been a lot of confusion about sharing Netflix.
A Netflix account is intended for one household, so we’re rolling out new features in Canada, New Zealand, Portugal, and Spain (and more broadly in the coming months) to give you more control over your account…
— Netflix (@netflix) February 8, 2023
They confirmed in a follow-up tweet that, “yes, you can still watch Netflix while traveling!” with a link to more information. The additional information from their website includes the following details:
“We’ve always made it easy for people who live together to share their Netflix account with features like profiles and multiple streams,” their website begins. “While these have been hugely popular, they’ve also created confusion about when and how you can share Netflix. Today, over 100 million households are sharing accounts — impacting our ability to invest in great new TV and films.
“So over the last year, we’ve been exploring different approaches to address this issue in Latin America, and we’re now ready to roll them out more broadly in the coming months, starting today in Canada, New Zealand, Portugal and Spain. Our focus has been on giving members greater control over who can access their account.”
Here are the specific rules they’ve laid out for password sharing. Naturally, they revolve around the basis that accounts subscribing to their streaming service are only intended for one household:
Set primary location: We’ll help members set this up, ensuring that anyone who lives in their household can use their Netflix account.
Manage account access and devices: Members can now easily manage who has access to their account from our new Manage Access and Devices page.
Transfer profile: People using an account can now easily transfer a profile to a new account, which they pay for — keeping their personalized recommendations, viewing history, My List, saved games and more.
Watch while you travel: Members can still easily watch Netflix on their personal devices or log into a new TV, like at a hotel or holiday rental.
Buy an extra member: Members on our Standard or Premium plan in many countries (including Canada, New Zealand, Portugal and Spain) can add an extra member sub account for up to two people they don’t live with — each with a profile, personalized recommendations, login and password — for an extra CAD$7.99 a month per person in Canada, NZD$7.99 in New Zealand, Euro 3.99 in Portugal, and Euro 5.99 in Spain.
As such, we’ll have to see how fans continue to react to these changes. It’s possible that Netflix could succeed with these plans in the long-term. Otherwise, it could look bad for the streaming service in a world that’s now loaded with competitors. So stay tuned to ScreenGeek for additional updates as we have them.