Netflix has famously turned a blind eye to people who share their passwords — and thus, their accounts — with friends over the years, but the streamer appears to be cracking down on the practice.
As first reported by GammaWire, some Netflix users have started getting notifications telling them they need to sign up for their own account if they don't live in the same household as the account holder.
"If you don't live with the owner of this account, you need your own account to keep watching," the message reads. The viewer is then given the option of verifying their identity or signing up for their own account.
Previously, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings seemed unconcerned about the practice. Speaking to shareholders in 2016 [via The Hollywood Reporter], he said, "Password sharing is something you have to learn to live with because there's so much legitimate password sharing – like you sharing with your spouse, with your kids .... so there's no bright line, and we're doing fine as is."
Of course, back then there were fewer streaming services, but the market has suddenly become cluttered with competition. For now, only a small handful of users appear to be affected by the test, but don't be surprised if the new initiative is implemented.
As first reported by GammaWire, some Netflix users have started getting notifications telling them they need to sign up for their own account if they don't live in the same household as the account holder.
"If you don't live with the owner of this account, you need your own account to keep watching," the message reads. The viewer is then given the option of verifying their identity or signing up for their own account.
Previously, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings seemed unconcerned about the practice. Speaking to shareholders in 2016 [via The Hollywood Reporter], he said, "Password sharing is something you have to learn to live with because there's so much legitimate password sharing – like you sharing with your spouse, with your kids .... so there's no bright line, and we're doing fine as is."
Of course, back then there were fewer streaming services, but the market has suddenly become cluttered with competition. For now, only a small handful of users appear to be affected by the test, but don't be surprised if the new initiative is implemented.
