Netflix’s password-sharing crackdown got me — here’s what happened

Opinion
By Rory Mellon
published

I’m proof that Netflix’s password-sharing crackdown works

A TV with the Netflix logo sits behind a hand holding a remote
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

I’ve got a confession to make. For the past few years, my family has used a single Netflix account. We all live in different locations, but share passwords across several of the best streaming services. 

When Netflix confirmed that its password-sharing crackdown was coming, I knew that the shared streaming party was over, and that I was going to have to cough up the cash for my own account. After a few delays, and some confusing messaging, I’ve now had a first-hand experience with Netflix’s new initiative.

This new tactic aims convert the 100 million users Netflix estimates are accessing the service via password-sharing into (partially) or full paying subscribers. So, here’s what happened when I encountered Netflix’s password-sharing crackdown for myself.  

Goodbye shared Netflix account

A TV with the Netflix error message "This TV isn't part of your Netflix household"

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Earlier this week my partner called me into our living room complaining that “Netflix wasn’t working.” Looking over at the TV, I was greeted was a message informing me “This TV isn’t part of your Netflix household." I knew that the day I had long feared had arrived. 

The streamer gave me three options at this point: Create an account, update my Netflix household, or inform Netflix that I was traveling. Tempted as I was to deploy the recently discovered loophole to avoid the password-sharing crackdown, I quickly determined that would be just avoiding the inevitable. 

if I'm paying for something I want full control, not shared-control.

After years of mooching off the family account, I decided it was time to create a Netflix account of my own. And within just a few minutes, I'd complied. My partner was happily watching Gilmore Girls, and my bank balance will now be $15 lighter each month. Feels bad, man. 

Yes, Netflix also offers the ability to add a household to the main Netflix household for $8 / £4.99 / AU$7.99 per month, but I didn't see that option. Personally, I wasn't keen on doing that, because if I'm paying for something I want full control, not shared-control. I don't want to be concerned about the traveling issues, either.

I’m part of the problem 

Netflix on a tablet

(Image credit: pixinoo / Shutterstock.com)

That situation outlined above is exactly what Netflix is hoping will happen across households in the U.S., U.K. and beyond over the next few months. 

I now pay for my own Netflix account instead of making use of a family account  (I should note, I did contribute towards the cost of our shared account), which is the crackdown working as intended. As somebody who was against the move when it was announced, I’m very much aware that I’m now part of the problem.  

I’m staunchly against businesses making life more difficult for paying customers in an effort to make more money for themselves

My core issue with Netflix’s password-sharing crackdown isn’t actually that I’m now paying a larger sum of money a month to still have access to the streaming service. After all, password sharing was always a privilege that Netflix permitted, rather than a fundamental right that subscribers should expect. My big problem, though, is that Netflix made its streaming service harder to use.

This weekend I’m traveling out of town, and if I want to use my freshly-created Netflix account while away from my set “household” that will come with more hassle than it did just a few weeks ago. Now, when I sign into Netflix on a hotel's Smart TV, or my laptop connected to the guest Wi-Fi, I have more work to do to verify my account.

A TV with the netflix logo and show art is on fire

(Image credit: Tom's Guide/Netflix/Shutterstock)

Now you must notify Netflix that you’re traveling, which adds a layer of inconvenience to the process. I’m curious to test this out for myself over the next few days, but even if it’s a relatively straightforward process, there’s always the possibility that something could go wrong. 

I’m staunchly against businesses making life more difficult for paying customers in an effort to make more money for themselves, and unfortunately, that’s what Netflix is doing here.

Outlook: The start of a trend 

My other concern with Netflix’s password-sharing crackdown is that it will start a new streaming trend. Prime Video recently took to social media to dunk on Netflix, informing subscribers that password sharing is still okay with them. But of course, there was a time when Netflix declared that “love is sharing a password”, so I won’t be surprised if other streamers change their stance over the coming years.  

See more

I can’t help but recall Apple’s decision to remove the headphone jack from the iPhone 7 in 2016. There was a fierce backlash to this move, and smartphone rivals like Samsung and Google were quick to snipe at Apple. But the following year the Google Pixel 2 launched without a headphone jack, and Samsung also nixed the port starting with the Galaxy Note 10 in 2019

I foresee history repeating itself here. Rivals may mock Netflix now, but if the world’s biggest streamer proves that blocking password sharing is a route to higher revenues, other services will almost certainly follow suit. 

More from Tom's Guide

Rory Mellon
Rory Mellon
Entertainment Editor (UK)

Rory is an Entertainment Editor at Tom’s Guide based in the UK. He covers a wide range of topics but with a particular focus on gaming and streaming. When he’s not reviewing the latest games, searching for hidden gems on Netflix, or writing hot takes on new gaming hardware, TV shows and movies, he can be found attending music festivals and getting far too emotionally invested in his favorite football team. 

8 Comments Comment from the forums
  • JorgTheElder
    In the past sharing your password was not a privilege, it was literally against the contract you agreed to when you signed up for Netflix and yet you have the brass ones to say "I’m staunchly against businesses making life more difficult for paying customers".

    It is incredibly hypocritical to claim the moral high ground when you have been in breach of contract the whole time. You and people like you brought this on yourself.
    Reply
  • navybm
    I think if you are watching Netflix on a mobile phone you should be fine. The only thing you need to do is cast your smartphone to your TV.
    Reply
  • Chuck333
    There are absolutely free streaming options available that provide all of the content from all of the streaming services for $0. You can watch content from Netflix, Paramount+, Hulu, Apple+, HBO, all of them with no problem at no cost. Streaming services making their services more expensive and less user friendly is just encouraging people to seek out and employ these alternatives. Sure disabling password sharing might increase revenues in the short run but in the long run people are going to rebel.
    Reply
  • Jeltz191
    Absolute rubbish. Netflix created a problem of their own volition. The correct solution is to change the subscription model to "a fixed number of devices that can be used anywhere". Then we can choose who to allocate those devices too, and Netflix still get their subscription fee. And terms and conditions are met. You need a dose of history.

    Part of Netflix's popularity and the reason they got my business in the first place was because I could share the subscription with my family, most of whom were, and are, in no position to afford a subscription of their own. I really thought that finally a company got it - a family sticks together no matter what their makeup nor where they are. Who defines the family is of no concern to the company. But no: The recent crackdown simply indicates Netflix has no understanding of what a modern family consists of, nor the reality they may not indeed be "under one roof" (ahem residing at one IP address). It is all about "reclaiming revenue" by reducing the terms and conditions that were responsible for their very success! Yet another standard big company policy mantra of more profit by reducing product size and maintaining price. Fine, but not after you have created the value expectation of being a family friendly company.

    Meanwhile the real cheaters (i.e. those on-selling content or just generally aka broadcasting) will just set up VPN networks and Netflix can be none the wiser.

    My advice to Netflix: Pull your head in and go with something like my suggestion above, or they will have lost a premium customer.
    Reply
  • Malouff
    I do agree that the IP address monitoring will create problems for paying customers.
    A hotel stay would involve verification of a new IP address and a device previously connected to your home IP address within the last 31 days. I don't think you can just login at a hotel anymore. So hopefully a person also watched on a device other than those connected to the TV at home. Older people usually don't want to watch on their phones so would probably forget and have to become accustomed to using Netflix on their phone before traveling. You can then watch several programs after verification as the new IP address is at a fixed location.
    Now try using Netflix on a device designed for a TV viewing experience well traveling in a vehicle. For example some screens connected to headrests with a HDMI splitter between them connected to a FireTV stick for the source. How many times will the IP address change and need verification during a trip. This setup is now worthless with Netflix. You would need a phone or tablet with a HDMI out to replace the Fire TV stick. That or some tablets instead of the screens each eating data.
    Netflix has completely changed the experience of traveling and making it easy to view anywhere.
    Reply
  • Dilbert_1
    Jeltz191 said:
    Absolute rubbish. Netflix created a problem of their own volition. The correct solution is to change the subscription model to "a fixed number of devices that can be used anywhere". Then we can choose who to allocate those devices too, and Netflix still get their subscription fee. And terms and conditions are met. You need a dose of history.

    Part of Netflix's popularity and the reason they got my business in the first place was because I could share the subscription with my family, most of whom were, and are, in no position to afford a subscription of their own. I really thought that finally a company got it - a family sticks together no matter what their makeup nor where they are. Who defines the family is of no concern to the company. But no: The recent crackdown simply indicates Netflix has no understanding of what a modern family consists of, nor the reality they may not indeed be "under one roof" (ahem residing at one IP address). It is all about "reclaiming revenue" by reducing the terms and conditions that were responsible for their very success! Yet another standard big company policy mantra of more profit by reducing product size and maintaining price. Fine, but not after you have created the value expectation of being a family friendly company.

    Meanwhile the real cheaters (i.e. those on-selling content or just generally aka broadcasting) will just set up VPN networks and Netflix can be none the wiser.

    My advice to Netflix: Pull your head in and go with something like my suggestion above, or they will have lost a premium customer.
    Cry more.
    Reply
  • Gaymer313
    JorgTheElder said:
    In the past sharing your password was not a privilege, it was literally against the contract you agreed to when you signed up for Netflix and yet you have the brass ones to say "I’m staunchly against businesses making life more difficult for paying customers".

    It is incredibly hypocritical to claim the moral high ground when you have been in breach of contract the whole time. You and people like you brought this on yourself.
    If that's always been true, why did Netflix brag about password sharing in 2017?

    If "love is sharing the password" then, it should still be love today.

    Sounds like corporate greed trumps love.

    Canceled my account out of principal.

    2oGJGmAView: https://flic.kr/p/2oGJGmA
    Reply
  • barrem01
    "I’m now paying a larger sum of money a month to still have access to the streaming service. ...
    I’m staunchly against businesses making life more difficult for paying customers in an effort to make more money for themselves, and unfortunately, that’s what Netflix is doing here.
    My other concern with Netflix’s password-sharing crackdown is that it will start a new streaming trend."

    You list three good reasons not to comply with Netflix's crack down, but in the end you cave to watch re-runs of Gilmore Girls? For $30 you can buy a season of Gilmore Girls (I'd suggest one that is not on Netflix), and at least make a show of being "staunch" by canceling your Netflix subscription for a few months.

    Netflix has raised it's prices 5 times in 8 years, and now they've picked the most intrusive way to squeeze a few more bucks out of their customers. I share my Netflix account with my 80 year old mom. If she watches an hour a month it's a lot (and often that's when I'm visiting). The minute Netflix demands I get a separate account for her, I'm canceling. There's plenty to watch without them.
    Reply