Historical password change at Netflix - what users should know about the change

Created: 01/13/2023 14:03

By: Momir Takac

Netflix in Germany is at a turning point.

It will soon no longer be possible for people outside the household to use an account free of charge.

Los Gatos - Netflix will soon be making drastic changes for users.

The streaming service announced last year that it wanted to restrict the sharing of accounts and passwords.

The reason for the considerations should have been the first quarter of 2022, in which Netflix had registered a decline in the number of subscribers for the first time in ten years.

Although the number of customers has since recovered, the company is sticking to the end of free account sharing and has already taken the first precautions.

When will password sharing be banned in Germany?

What is the status of the considerations?

What are the costs?

Here is an overview.

Password sharing on Netflix soon banned: streaming service takes precautions

The streaming provider Netflix prevents the free sharing of accounts.

© Thomas Trutschel/Imago

Netflix wants to curb people from outside the household using an account for free.

In a press release last year, the streaming service said it was "carefully exploring different ways for people to share their account by paying a little more."

In March 2022, Netflix implemented a new pricing policy in Chile, Peru and Costa Rica.

Customers who make their account available to people outside their own household in these countries paid the equivalent of $2.99 ​​extra per person.

The measure was extended to other Latin American countries in August.

Also, in November, a new feature was introduced that allows account holders to control who can use the account.

Account sharing at Netflix before the end: In Germany it could be so far in the spring

In October, Netflix decided to stop adding more users in Argentina, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.

Instead, it should be made easier for users to convert an existing profile from a shared account to a standalone one.

The calculus behind it: Netflix watchers open their own account, but have their watch list ready immediately.

To make it more palatable for them, a tariff with advertising and limited content was created, which is lower than the price of a standard subscription.

It is not yet clear when password sharing will also be restricted in Germany.

According to a new shareholder letter, the changes are also to be extended to Central Europe.

In Germany, the Netflix changes regarding account sharing could therefore apply from spring,

reported