We sadly knew this day would come. But Netflix’s ban on password sharing has not taken effect just yet.
The streaming company expects to launch and enforce the anti-password sharing plan worldwide in the first quarter of this year. Users in the U.S. have a sneak peek at Netflix’s Help Center.
According to the website, “When a device outside of your household signs in to an account or is used persistently, we may ask you to verify that device before it can be used to watch Netflix or switch your Netflix household.” Welp, that is a wrap for college students who can not afford to pay and keep up with monthly billings.
Netflix detects a device used outside a household through IP addresses, device IDs, and account activity from devices signed into the Netflix account, the company states on its website.
Many college students usually share passwords with their parents, siblings and friends, but now students will need to buy their plan, or whoever is the sole subscriber will need to pay an extra fee. In Costa Rica, where the crackdown is, the fee is $2.99.
Netflix has 230 million subscribers worldwide, and 100 million subscribers share passwords. The company said in January that password sharing undermines its long-term capacity to invest in and improve its service.
Critics stated password sharing is not the cause of the company’s loss in revenue, but canceling popular shows after one season is. Some college students refuse to pay for the platform, saying they will delete the app and go elsewhere.
In 2017, Netflix tweeted “love is sharing a password,” but love is not in the air this February. Some households will bite the bullet and pay, others will cancel their subscriptions, or worse, college students will be forced to pay for their own subscriptions.
I watch Hulu anyway.