Netflix password sharing could be a crime — what that means for you

Netflix on TV with remote control in foreground — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

The fact Netflix is cracking down on password sharing isn’t news, and the company has confirmed it will be advancing its efforts during 2023. Now it seems Netflix has found an unlikely ally in this fight, in the form of the British Government.

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has released new guidance around the subject of piracy this week. But while TorrentFreak notes that much of the document is similar to guidelines that were published in the past, this new version outright states that “password sharing on streaming services” is one of a number of things that “all break copyright law."

The U.K.'s Crown Prosecution Service notes that using “services of a members’ club without paying and without being a member” is a clear-cut case of fraud. As is “chargeable data or software over the internet without paying.” Both of these examples could apply to sharing a Netflix password, though the odds of anyone bothering to prosecute you for sharing a Netflix password with your brother are pretty slim.

That said, pointing out that password sharing could technically be a crime is the perfect justification for cracking down on it. Netflix may have previously admitted that money was the deciding factor, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see some sort of awareness campaign in the near future. Something that can be summed up as: “sharing your password is actually a crime, so you better cut that out.”

Netflix has been testing ways to crack down on password sharing over the past few months. Multiple countries in Latin America have been involved, with various different “solutions” to the issue. These range from having users declare their home devices and asking suspected password sharers to pay $3 a month more to continue. Netflix has even offered sharers the option to transfer their profiles to brand new (paying) accounts so they don’t lose their watch lists and viewing history.

We don’t know how or when Netflix will be expanding its password sharing crackdown to the U.S. and other regions — just that it will be increasing its efforts in 2023. And, considering the company technically has the law on its side, don’t be surprised if Netflix tries to make a very big deal out of it.

Tom is the Tom's Guide's UK Phones Editor, tackling the latest smartphone news and vocally expressing his opinions about upcoming features or changes. It's long way from his days as editor of Gizmodo UK, when pretty much everything was on the table. He’s usually found trying to squeeze another giant Lego set onto the shelf, draining very large cups of coffee, or complaining about how terrible his Smart TV is.