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GammaWire is reporting: Netflix to Start Testing Warnings for People Borrowing Login Info
It's still a small sample size but we have confirmed from a number of Netflix users that the streaming service is starting to roll out a test of warnings to those allegedly borrowing account login information from users outside of their home or family.
For the time being, the number of users impacted seems to be relatively small (there is some loose chatter about specific users receiving these warnings on Twitter and other social networks, but nothing widespread yet).
The warning pops up and requests that users verify that it is in fact their account with a verification code. In other words, if you're borrowing your ex's account, good luck with that text asking for them to forward you the code.
[...] The most notable part of this whole test is that Netflix has long claimed letting people borrow passwords has been one of their strongest marketing channels. While never officially confirmed, there were reports that Netflix had metrics showing those who used other people's Netflix accounts were highly likely to sign up for their own accounts. This recent push to drive people borrowing passwords into signing up for their own accounts might indicate an internal shift in Netflix's customer acquisition data showing a worrying trend for the company.
Do you think users would bother setting up personal VPNs to masquerade as members of the same household?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 14 2021, @04:05PM (6 children)
You do... because it's in the contract you entered into with them.
(Score: 1, Touché) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 14 2021, @04:22PM (1 child)
If you want high def streaming, they force you to pay for 2 streams minimum. It's a racket and bootlickers like you part of the problem.
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Monday March 15 2021, @01:20AM
Hmm, it sounds more like the exchange theory of value in action to me.
I switched to torrent.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by rleigh on Sunday March 14 2021, @06:26PM (1 child)
If they are going to enforce the contract terms that strictly, then they will lose a massive number of subscribers. It was that flexibility that got and retained their subscriber base in the first place. If it's inflexible and not price-competitive, then it will get cancelled.
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Monday March 15 2021, @11:08PM
There's a number of ways that plays out and most likely none of them will result in more profit. Personally, I'd cancel and perhaps sign on for a couple months a year to binge the bit of content that interests me. Personally, I wouldn't have a subscription at all if it wasn't provided by T-Mobile. There's some good content, but not anywhere near enough to justify the price. Having a blind eye turned towards sharing passwords means that they get one subscription when they likely would have gotten zero subscriptions as there wasn't enough content to justify one plan for any of the people sharing their passwords individually.
(Score: 2) by choose another one on Sunday March 14 2021, @08:48PM (1 child)
I've checked and there is diddly squat about location except at the country level:
"You may view the Netflix content primarily within the country in which you have established your account "
and even then it is only "primarily".
The only sharing restriction is on "household" which is everyone (and anyone) living together in a house - but nowhere does it say they have to watch only from that house (in fact the opposite is implied by the "primarily" on the country clause above). A household does not stay in a house all the time (except at the moment, maybe).
(Score: 2) by Immerman on Monday March 15 2021, @03:18AM
Check again:
4.2. The Netflix service and any content viewed through our service are for your personal and non-commercial use only and may not be shared with individuals beyond your household.
https://help.netflix.com/legal/termsofuse [netflix.com]