Shared Netflix password with family and friends? You must read this – India Today

By Ankita Chakravarti: If you share your Netflix passwords with friends and family who don’t live in the same household, Netflix has new rules for you. The popular streaming giant recently announced tighter restrictions on account and password sharing in India. This move is part of the global crackdown on password sharing, which aims to limit account access to just one household. While this may be bad news for some users who are used to sharing accounts with friends, Netflix hopes it will lead to more business and an improved user experience.

What are new Netflix account sharing rules in India?

Netflix’s new policy makes it clear that one account can only be used within one household. This way, family members living together can still enjoy Netflix on different devices, whether they are at home, on vacation or on the road. Netflix offers features like “Transfer Profile” and “Manage Access and Devices” to make it easier for family members to share the account within the same household.

Previously, many users in India used to share their Netflix accounts with friends to share the cost. Unfortunately, these new measures will put an end to such account sharing practices with people outside the primary household. Instead, members outside the household are encouraged to transfer their profile to a new account and purchase a separate subscription.

How Netflix identifies password sharing

Netflix uses advanced methods to identify password sharing. It tracks the user’s IP address, device ID, and account activity from devices logged into the account. This makes it challenging for users outside the primary household to access.

To ensure users comply with the new policy, Netflix requires users to enter passcodes to access the account from outside the primary household. These codes are valid for a maximum of seven days. In addition, users must connect to the primary household’s Wi-Fi network at least once every 31 days.

Users who are traveling are not affected.

If you’re concerned about using Netflix while traveling, there’s good news. Netflix has clarified that these new measures will not affect users using the app on the go. While the specific verification process has yet to be described, it will likely involve checking the device ID to verify the identity of the user.

Paid sharing is not yet available in India

Netflix previously allowed paid account sharing in markets such as the US. However, in India, the company decided not to offer this option as it had slashed subscription prices in the country. The premium plan which offers 4K content and supports up to 4 devices costs Rs 649 per month making it the most expensive streaming service in India.

Interestingly, Netflix’s strict approach to password sharing has proven beneficial for the company. In the second quarter of 2023, Netflix gained no less than 5.9 million new subscribers worldwide. This comes as a rebound after a fall in subscribers in the first quarter of 2022, the first decline in a decade. Netflix’s revenues in several regions have surpassed pre-launch levels, with more sign-ups than cancellations.

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