• Netflix has announced its updated methods to crack down on account and password sharing.
• These are similar to those announced accidentally last week, with some important distinctions.
• Finally, Netflix says paid account sharing will now be possible but only for Standard and Premium members.

Last week, Netflix accidentally issued an update to users in some countries on changes to how it manages account and password sharing.

That update, recalled by Netflix a day after it was posted, detailed how users would have to watch something on Netflix at least once every 31 days so that the platform could recognise the location of the account as a “trusted” one.

There were a few other issues with the update, including how users who wanted to use their Netflix accounts while traveling on devices like hotel smart TVs would have to request temporary seven-day access.

In a statement sent to the media, Netflix said that the information accidentally posted was only applicable to Chile, Costa Rica, and Peru. “Netflix has since updated it,” it said. This was followed by radio silence by the streaming giant until a new update was posted today.

“We’ve always made it easy for people who live together to share their Netflix account with features like profiles and multiple streams,” writes Netflix.

“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.”

As such, the platform has devised new methods to stop password and account sharing and will be rolling these methods out to more international regions after testing them in Latin America.

The company says that, with these changes, its focus “has been on giving members greater control over who can access their account.” These changes are first coming to Canada, Portugal, Spain, and New Zealand with a broader rollout expected in the “coming months.”

But crucially, it says “A Netflix account is intended for one household and members can choose from a range of plans with different features” echoing its sentiment that every household must have their own account and that password sharing is soon coming to an end.

First, Netflix says it will help users set the “Primary Location” for their accounts. This can be easily managed through a new page of settings called “Manage account access and devices.”

Users can now also use the “Transfer Profile” feature – this is intended to be for people migrating to new accounts after the crackdown. For example, if you live in a different home than your parents but you have been using your parents’ account to watch Netflix, you will have to transfer your profile to a brand new account (which you will have to pay for individually).

The account transfer feature makes sure you can keep your personalized recommendations, viewing history, My List, saved games, and more. 

Netflix has changed its stance on traveling and now says that “Members can still easily watch Netflix on their personal devices or log into a new TV, like at a hotel or holiday rental.”

And finally, users will now be able to “buy an extra member” to add to their accounts. This new account will act as a sub-account. Basically, this is paid password / account sharing which was long rumoured to be coming.

“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,” Netflix explains.

The prices are similar to those that can be found in the “Basic” plan, which in South Africa costs R99 a month.

However extra member sub-accounts can only be added to Standard and Premium plan subscribers, as per its plan features:

[Image – Giordano Rossoni on Unsplash]