Netflix has made their intentions clear with cracking down on password sharing. Now, however, customers are expressing their disapproval on social media.
Their plan to stop password sharing revolves around tracking users’ devices. If a device is using someone’s Netflix account from outside their home internet, then it will be shut off after a certain amount of time. That is, of course, the account holder pays an extra fee.
This strategy has been tested and announced multiple times. In fact, Netflix claims to be rather pleased with the results of these tests. After several delays, however, some US users believed the streaming service would never actually enforce the new rules. But this changes with an all-new announcement that has the streaming service facing backlash online.
As shared via Variety, a broad rollout of this plan is set to begin in Q2 – including the United States. They claim that passwords are being shared with more than 100 million non-paying households worldwide.
Here are some of the responses you can see in the posts shared below. As you can tell, many users are incredibly upset with this new announcement:
Netflix not wanting to put their films in theaters despite the success of Glass Onion during their one week as well as that stupid password sharing crackdown is seriously gonna do way more damage than they think. Genuinely cannot believe they are making these stupid decisions. https://t.co/lbaPb08SRB
— Animated Antic (@Animated_Antic) April 19, 2023
Refusing to put their movies in theaters to make extra cash, cracking down on password sharing, and canceling good shows.
Seriously, does Netflix just hate money? https://t.co/BEyFKNjLQo
— Gilbert #NewDeal4Animation 💙💛 (@discord12395) April 19, 2023
I mean, what better time for Netflix to crackdown on password sharing than when their reputation is on a downward spiral?
Back-to-back Beef and Love Is Blind controversies. They’re just ripping off the bandaid at this point. https://t.co/dd1CuU2JWZ
— Raven Brunner (@raventbrunner) April 18, 2023
so right after they couldn’t live stream a big event they advertised heavily, they’re back to killing password sharing…netflix fucking sucks lmaooo https://t.co/5OESXI3EXC
— jake wick (@lord_anarchy) April 18, 2023
Netflix is only letting people who have never shared their password watch #LoveIsBlindLIVE
— Ashley Hesseltine (@AshHess) April 17, 2023
As companies start focusing on profitability and revenue, some will have to trade off against growth metrics.
For example, Netflix going after password sharing will raise revenue per household but may also reduce total subscribers. Many companies will balk at these tradeoffs.
— Dare Obasanjo (@Carnage4Life) April 19, 2023
Piracy is easier than ever now.
The only reason people don’t is its just mire convenient to pay a streaming service fee every month.
Netflix is pushing more people to piracy with this shit. https://t.co/2zimgaTcdw— claytalian (@claytalian) April 19, 2023
It isn’t any wonder that shareholders would be the only ones happy about this news. After all, Netflix claims that the password sharing crackdown will allow them to generate more revenue this quarter. But given the amount of users that are otherwise upset – some of which even hint at turning towards piracy in retaliation – it might not be that good of a long-term move. As such, we’ll have to see how Netflix performs after utilizing this strategy. And, of course, what it means for the streaming industry in general.
Stay tuned to ScreenGeek for any additional Netflix updates as we have them. For now, though, it certainly doesn’t look like subscribers are happy with the upcoming changes.