NETFLIX is widening its crackdown on password sharing, in a controversial attempt to draw in more paying viewers.
Customers in Canada, New Zealand, Portugal and Spain will now have to abide by the new restrictions.
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Netflix has been trialling the restrictions on password sharing in Costa Rica, Peru and Chile.
But it is expected to soon come to the UK and US.
The platform has been wrestling with falling viewership, as the battle between streamers like Prime, Disney+ and Apple TV rages on.
Netflix estimates that 100million viewers are watching on shared accounts.
People on the same plan who live in a different house will “need to use their own account” to access the streaming platform under the new regime.
That means paying an extra $2.99 for a shared account.
How do I see who is using my Netflix account?
Many Netflix customers share their passwords willingly, be it with children who have moved away for university or a friend who wants to watch a show you’ve recommended.
But sometimes users can forget who they’ve shared their password with, or it may have even been stolen.
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Whatever the case, there is a way to see who is using your Netflix account and a way to boot them out.
First, go to Netflix’s website, and sign into your account.
Click your Profile in the top right corner of the screen > Account > Profile & Parenting Controls > Viewing Activity.
How do I stop them from using my account?
If someone is in fact using your account without your permission – or you simply don’t want weird recommendations anymore – there’s a simple fix.
Firstly, users can change their password.
Or, customers can sign out of Netflix on all devices in their Settings.
Head to Netflix, and sign into your account.
Then click on your Profile > Account > Security & Privacy > Manage Access and Devices > Sign out of the device you want or don’t recognise.
But how does it even known I’m sharing my password?
The company said that devices detected in other locations “may be blocked from watching Netflix”.
This is done by tracking IP addresses, device IDs and account activity.
If a device, say a TV or laptop, is logged into the account in a different location, Netflix will require a temporary code that lets users log in at that location for seven days.
Those travelling with their ‘primary device’ – the device that is used for Netflix the most – will not have any issues in accessing content, Netflix said.
However, users must make sure to connect to WiFi at their primary location at least once every 31 days to ensure uninterrupted access.
“If a Netflix account is used by a device that is not associated with the primary account owner’s household, the device will need to be verified before it can be used to watch Netflix,” the company wrote.
“We do this to confirm that the device using the account is authorised to do so.”
Netflix stressed that it will not automatically charge users if they share their account with someone who doesn’t live with them.
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