News Brief
Abhay Rathore
Jul 20, 2023, 03:12 PM | Updated 03:21 PM IST
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Netflix has implemented a two-pronged approach to boost revenue: introducing a subscription tier with advertisements and taking action against password sharing.
In an effort to address the widespread practice of password sharing in India, the streaming giant has sent emails to its Indian subscribers, urging them not to share their passwords with individuals outside their households.
"A Netflix account is for use by one household. Everyone living in that household can use Netflix wherever they are - at home, on the go, on holiday - and take advantage of new features like Transfer Profile and Manage Access and Devices," Netflix stated in a release.
The company has also introduced new features such as Transfer Profile and Manage Access and Devices to enhance the user experience.
Earlier this year, Netflix disclosed that more than 100 million households were sharing accounts on its platform. This revelation emphasises the need for Netflix to take action against password sharing to protect its revenue and ensure a fair distribution of its services.
Netflix has recently implemented stricter measures to combat account sharing. From now on, only users on the same internet connection will be able to access a specific account. This means that individuals who are not part of the designated "Netflix Household" will no longer have access to the content.
According to The Washington Post, individuals who are currently using borrowed accounts will be automatically logged out. They will receive a message guiding them on how to create a new account if they wish to continue using Netflix's services.
To determine if a device is part of a household, Netflix will utilise various pieces of information such as IP addresses, device IDs, and account activity. These factors will help the company identify whether a device is authorised to access a particular account.
A spokesperson from Netflix has clarified that the platform will not utilise GPS data from users. This means that location tracking will not be used as a criterion for determining account access.
Subscribers of Netflix are being urged to review the devices that are currently signed into their account. The company advises users to sign out any devices that should not have access and also consider changing their password.
In addition, Netflix states that if an individual is sharing their password with someone, they will be required to transfer that person to a new account. The person being transferred will need to purchase a new subscription plan.
Netflix India offers four different monthly subscription plans. These include a mobile-only plan priced at Rs 149, a basic plan at Rs 199, a standard plan at Rs 499, and a premium tier at Rs 699.
Users can watch content on up to four devices simultaneously with the premium plan.
Netflix's crackdown on password sharing has resulted in a significant increase in subscribers, with 6 million new accounts added globally.
Netflix's crackdown on password sharing has resulted in a significant increase in subscribers, with 6 million new accounts added globally.
Despite a writers and actors strike impacting the US entertainment industry, Netflix has seen a surge in subscribers and is considered to be better positioned than its competitors to withstand the effects of the strike.
The effectiveness of the crackdown on passwords is evident, according to Louis Navellier, the chief investment officer of Navellier and Associates. He made this observation in reference to Netflix.
Abhay Rathore is Staff Writer at Swarajya.