The newly revised password sharing policies, which were intended to stop users sharing their accounts with other households, have been removed by Netflix days after their controversial announcement.
It seems the password sharing policy was only meant for certain areas, “For a brief time yesterday, a help centre article containing information that is only applicable to Chile, Costa Rica, and Peru, went live in other countries,” a spokesperson said about the apparent blunder, adding: “We have since updated it.”
This was in reference to Netflix’s announcement that they would be rolling out the strict password sharing ban at the start of 2023.
Confirming the news, Netflix said at the time: “Later in Q1, we expect to start rolling out paid sharing more broadly. Today’s widespread account sharing (100M+ households) undermines our long term ability to invest in and improve Netflix, as well as build our business.”
Netflix also said they would be taking steps to make the transition easier. Features like easy profile transfer, and being able to keep track of devices being used on an account are just some of the ways they said they would be attempting to improve the experience.
“While our terms of use limit use of Netflix to a household, we recognise this is a change for members who share their account more broadly,” the streaming service said.
“So we’ve worked hard to build additional new features that improve the Netflix experience, including the ability for members to review which devices are using their account and to transfer a profile to a new account.
“As we roll out paid sharing, members in many countries will also have the option to pay extra if they want to share Netflix with people they don’t live with. As is the case today, all members will be able to watch while traveling, whether on a TV or mobile device.”
But they added that with more money coming in, the quality of the shows provided will also improve.
They continued: “We believe the pattern will be similar to what we’ve seen in Latin America, with engagement growing over time as we continue to deliver a great slate of programming and borrowers sign-up for their own accounts.”
The streaming giant also confirmed exactly how they plan on making sure you aren’t sharing passwords outside of your household, and it all has to do with their new terms.
“A primary location is set by a TV that is signed into your account and is connected to your Wi-Fi network. All other devices signed into your account on that Wi-Fi network will be associated with your primary location and will be able to use Netflix,” Netflix says, per Tech Crunch.
They further added: “To ensure that your devices are associated with your primary location, connect to the Wi-Fi at your primary location, open the Netflix app or website, and watch something at least once every thirty-one days.”
But it seems they’ve gone back on their announcement.
Just a few days after they were introduced, these new rules, according to Streamable, were swiftly taken off from the company’s main website.
The regulations were not intended to apply to the United States, according to a Netflix spokesperson, and uploading material intended just for Chile, Costa Rica, and Peru to other nations was an error. They confirmed that this has since been fixed.
