Netflix is one of the most popular streaming services . One of its positive aspects, at least for viewers, is that the platform allows password sharing . This means that a subscriber can give their password to a relative or friend so that they can also access the service. But will this continue to be the case?
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Netflix hasn't really addressed this issue much, even though it knows passwords are being shared. But a new test featuresuggests the company may be reconsidering the issue.
Netflix is testing a new policy with some customers. When users try to access the service, they see a message asking them to sign up for a separate account if they are not with the actual subscriber.
Specifically, the message says: “If you don’t live with the owner of this account, you need your own account to continue watching.” It then asks users to either sign up with a trial account or verify their identity with a code that will be sent to them by the service via email or SMS.
According to a spokesperson, Netflix conducts hundreds of tests annually with selected customers.
"This particular test is designed to ensure that people using Netflix accounts are authorized to do so," Netflix said.
Of course, this test feature could also be implemented for account security (as in many cases passwords can be stolen). However, the way the message is worded, it seems that the main goal is to limit password sharing.
According to a survey, about 33% of Netflix subscribers share their password with at least one person. Netflix's basic plan costs $8.99 per month. The standard plan costs $13.99 per month and allows users to watch Netflix on two screens at the same time.
As we said earlier, Netflix so far has not done much to prevent password sharing with users who are not subscribers. This was probably due to the continuous increase in its subscribers and the stock price, which offset concerns about revenue loss.
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A short while ago, Netflix announced that it surpassed 200 million subscribers worldwide, but the shares now have lower performance.
See more: Netflix surpasses 200 million subscribers worldwide
It also faces new streamers, such as Disney+, AT&T's HBO Max, NBCUniversal's Peacock, and ViacomCBS's Paramount+, and needs to make sure its users stay loyal to it and don't switch to competitors.
Source: CNBC
