Netflix has finally shared some details about its password-sharing crackdown.
Password sharing has long been the bane of Netflix’s existence, prompting it to launch several efforts to mitigate the issue in 2022.
Most recently, the company announced it would roll out paid sharing “more broadly” later this quarter.
The changes will restrict Netflix’s use to a single household. Members can move profiles to new accounts and check which devices are using their accounts.
But what does that entail?
The Netflix Help Center now has a page explaining when and how your account should and shouldn’t be shared.
First off, Netflix accounts can still be shared but only for residents within one household, meaning those who live outside of the household will need to use their own account to watch Netflix.
If a device logs in to an account or is used frequently outside of the home, Netflix may ask subscribers to verify a device before it can be used to watch Netflix or change the Netflix household.
The company won’t ask for proof of identity as long as the Netflix-watching device is connected to the internet through the primary account owner’s home.
To verify a device the company will send a link to the email address or phone number associated with the primary account owner, and four-digit verification code needs to be entered one the device within 15 minutes. Netflix uses data from devices signed into a Netflix account, including IP addresses, device IDs, and account activity, to detect devices within a household.
The company says it shouldn’t be necessary for subscribers to validate your device to watch Netflix if you are the primary account owner (or live with them). It’s possible they’ll occasionally be prompted to confirm the device if they leave the Netflix household for an extended length of time, such as going on vacation.