Netflix is testing functionality against account sharing

The streaming giant Netflix has tested a stricter approach to the disclosure of passwords in the USA. Several users who apparently had shared friends' Netflix accounts reported messages on Twitter that denied them access to the platform and asked them to enter a code. The streaming service sent the required codes to the owners of the accounts by email or SMS. In this way, Netflix wanted to check whether the account owner and co-users are in the same household. After a failed access attempt, the co-users were asked to take out their own subscription in order to be able to continue watching films and series. It suggested a free trial offer for 30 days, wrote a Twitter user. "This test is to ensure that people who use Netflix accounts are authorized," said the streaming service spokesman on Friday. Germany is currently not affected by the trial. The company often tries out functions, not all of which are widely implemented. Several profiles can be created in a Netflix account. According to the terms of use, an account should only be used by residents of a household. However, some users also try to share the more expensive Netflix tariffs across multiple households. The company, which experienced a strong boost in the corona pandemic, had already promised a tougher pace on the other hand in recent years. According to a survey by the consulting firm Magid, around a third of subscribers to streaming services give their passwords to people who do not live in their household. This practice has long been known to Netflix and has so far been tolerated by the streaming giant.