Doomsday has come: American streaming giant Netflix has started emailing Dutch customers who are sharing their accounts with people outside of their households.
And what do these emails contain? Slecht news. In the future, sharing a Netflix account with someone who doesn’t live with you will cost you an additional €3.99 per month. This regulation is part of Netflix’s new policy to crack down on the popular practice of password sharing.
To all of you that still use their ex’s Netflix: this is the time to get your own account. Or reach out and get ’em to send a monthly Tikkie of €4 — your pick. 🤷♀️
Password sharing tolerated for years
If you had read Netflix’s Terms and Conditions when you signed up (don’t worry, we didn’t either), you’d know that sharing an account has never been allowed.
For years, it was tolerated (even encouraged!) by the streaming service. But those days are over.
Love is sharing a password.— Netflix (@netflix) March 10, 2017
How will it work?
According to the NOS, Netflix will use IP addresses, device ID numbers and account activity to determine the main location from which people watch (…or binge, let’s be real here) their shows.
If the system detects that viewing regularly takes place elsewhere, a lovely notification will pop up, saying that the device is not part of the Netflix “household”.
In those cases, watching will be blocked unless action is taken (cough, cough — money is paid). Thanks for nothing, Netflix. 😤
Frustrated customers
It’s estimated that over a third of frugal Dutchies share their passwords with people outside of their households. Netflix now hopes that at least some of them will bite the bullet and create their own accounts.
READ MORE | Video streaming services in the Netherlands: the complete guide
Netflix had previously launched the policy in other countries, including Canada and some Latin American countries.
Many (previously loyal) customers have taken to social media to share their frustration, some even saying doei to Netflix for good. In Spain, where the monthly fee was introduced in early February, Netflix has lost over a million customers, according to BusinessInsider. Yikes.
Bye bye @netflix
If I can’t help my elderly mom, save a buck by password sharing, with her, then I’ll just cancel you altogether. Have fun flailing and failing.
Hope you fire the genius who pitched you this idea. #netflix— Steven Mix (@StevenMix18) May 25, 2023
netflix making
divorced families, elderly grandparents, college kids who live far away from home etc. pay extra for “password sharing” when they refuse to pay their writers fair royalties is absolutely ridiculous. where do you get off thinking people will be cool with this!— shannon (eras tour 5/20 and 5/27! ✨) (@holygroundsound) May 23, 2023
I’ve been a @netflix member since probably 2010. I never cancelled it, even with the price hikes. But I think this password sharing crackdown plan is the last straw. Not even with your family members? What was the point of profiles then? 😠— Miguel E. (@miguemonteropr) May 23, 2023
What do you think about Netflix’s crackdown on password sharing in the Netherlands? Tell us in the comments.
I’ve cancelled Netflix and uninstalled from all the smart devices long ago. Reason being is that their policies are terrible and their content is not so appealing any more. Sad to see now things are getting worse. It’s important for a company to find solutions without being greedy if the time is tough. They could easily saved or earned money elsewhere from what they think they lost by password sharing which was essentially one of the most important reasons netflix was bearable.