Netflix UK launches immediate crackdown on password sharing

Password sharers have been emailed

The streaming service has started sending emails to customers who are sharing their accounts "outside their household".

The company confirmed Tuesday that it was sending the emails to account sharers in 103 countries and territories, including the UK, France, Germany, the US, Australia, Singapore, Mexico and Brazil.

The emails remind sharers Netflix accounts should just be used in one household.

Amid a streaming-service boom, Netflix has been looking to boost revenue streams. Limiting password sharing and a new advert-supported option are among the initiatives.

Paying customers can add a member outside their homes for £4.99 in the UK.

Members can also transfer a person's profile, so the user can keep their viewing history and recommendations.

Netflix warned last year that it was going to limit account sharing and was testing various approaches in some markets.

Customers in Canada, New Zealand, Portugal and Spain had already been asked to pay an additional fee if they share a password with family or friends who live in a different house.

Netflix had estimated that more than 100 million households had supplied their log-in credentials to friends and family outside their homes.

Sky News noted that, as of the end of March, Netflix's paying customers totalled 232.5 million globally.

Netflix said in a statement released Tuesday: "Starting today, we will be sending this email to members who are sharing Netflix outside their household in Ireland and the United Kingdom.

"A Netflix account is for use by one household. Everyone living in that household can use Netflix wherever they are – at home, on the go, on holiday – and take advantage of new features like Transfer Profile and Manage Access and Devices.

"We recognise that our members have many entertainment choices. It’s why we continue to invest heavily in a wide variety of new films and TV programmes – so whatever your taste, mood or language and whoever you’re watching with, there’s always something satisfying to watch on Netflix."

The letter in question goes as follows:

Dear Netflix Member,

Your Netflix account is for you and the people you live with – your household. You can easily watch Netflix on the go and when you travel – either on your personal devices or a TV at a hotel or holiday home. To control how your account is used, you can:

• Check who’s using your Netflix. Review which devices are signed in to your account. Sign out of devices that shouldn’t have access and consider changing your password.

If you want to share Netflix with someone outside your household, you can use these features:

• Transfer a profile. Anyone on your account can transfer a profile to a new membership that they pay for.
• Buy an extra member*. You can share your Netflix account with someone who doesn’t live with you for €4.99/£4.99 per month more.

We know you might have questions. Our Help Centre has more detailed information for you. Thank you for choosing Netflix. We appreciate your membership, and we look forward to bringing you more great TV programmes and films.

*Extra Member currently unavailable for members who pay for Netflix through a third party or as part of a bundle.

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