Netflix to Start Restrictions on Account and Password Sharing in India

 

Netflix has announced that it will implement restrictions on account and password sharing in India, starting from July 20. The streaming service has long viewed account and password sharing as a potential loss in revenue and took similar steps in the United States earlier in 2023 before expanding the restrictions to over 100 countries in May.

In India, where Netflix previously had a relatively lenient approach to password sharing, users who are using the same Netflix account in different households will receive an email notifying them about the changes. The email will inform users that a single account is intended to be used within a single household only. Users outside the primary member's household will be asked to transfer their profile to a fresh account and subscription.

Previously, Netflix users in India could share a single account across multiple households, allowing them to split the subscription fee among a group of friends or relatives. The new restrictions will make it more challenging for such users to continue sharing accounts, and it may eventually lead to more straightforward steps and individual subscriptions for each user.

By implementing these restrictions, Netflix aims to ensure that each account is used by the primary member's household, which may lead to increased revenue for the streaming service.

Netflix is planning to crack down on account and password sharing to prevent users from sharing their accounts with people outside their primary household. This move comes after similar restrictions were implemented in the United States and other countries.

To enforce these restrictions, Netflix will introduce some measures that will make it difficult for users outside the primary household to access the service. For example, they may have to enter verification codes for access, which they would need to do now and then to prove that they have permission to use the account. Additionally, they might need to connect to a Wi-Fi network in their primary location to keep their access active.

Netflix will also track devices within a household using IP addresses and device IDs to verify that only authorized users are accessing the account. This way, they can ensure that only people in the same household are using the account and not sharing it with others.

For users in India, Netflix is asking those who are sharing accounts with others outside their primary household to transfer their profiles to new paid memberships. This means each household will need to have its subscription.

While these measures may make it more complicated for users who were sharing accounts, Netflix still wants to provide some flexibility. They will allow users to use the service when they are traveling, so primary household members can still enjoy Netflix on their devices while away from home.

Overall, Netflix's goal is to encourage each household to have its subscription and prevent the loss of potential revenue due to password sharing. The company is using various verification methods to ensure that accounts are used as intended and to protect against unauthorized access.

In India, Netflix offers different subscription plans to cater to users' preferences. The most affordable plan is the Mobile plan, priced at Rs. 149 per month. This plan is designed for users who primarily watch content on portable devices like smartphones or tablets.

For users who want more flexibility and access on multiple devices, there are other plans available. The Standard plan costs Rs. 199 per month and allows users to watch Netflix on two devices at the same time, whether it's on mobile, TV, computer, or streaming devices.

The Premium plan is the most feature-rich and costs Rs. 649 per month. With this plan, users can watch content in Ultra-HD quality and have access to Netflix on up to four devices simultaneously. This means family members or friends can watch different shows or movies on their own devices at the same time.

It's important to note that regardless of the plan chosen, each Netflix account can have multiple user profiles. These profiles allow individual users to have their personalized watchlists, recommendations, and viewing history. The restrictions are solely on the number of devices that can stream Netflix content simultaneously, not on the number of profiles or users on the account.

By offering different subscription plans, Netflix aims to cater to the diverse needs of its users and provide them with the flexibility to enjoy their favorite shows and movies across a wide range of devices.