Netflix is consistently one of the most popular streaming services on the planet. Its video library is diverse and in recent years the American giant has increasingly relied on its own content. It’s fair to say that it’s paying off in places, too, as it has its hands on several global hits; be it series, films or documentaries.
Netflix steps up the pressure
If you use the platform yourself, then you know that you have several packages that allow you to connect multiple devices under one account. Also, and this is the imaginary stumbling block, many customers share their access with others (family, friends, etc.).
While the reason for such a move is obvious and, with a certain degree of exaggeration, logical (to share the costs equally – editor’s note). If you take Netflix Premium for $19.99/month. as an example, which you make available to three other people, each of you will pay about $6.66/month. The fact that this contradicts the terms and conditions is another matter, but unacceptable for the platform.
The fact that accounts are notionally bought is a thorn in Netflix’s side on a regular basis. It argues that connections to the platform should remain within a single household and that’s that. This was, after all, the reason why the brand launched a pilot project with ads, which, given the significantly lower price, was already supposed to be a hit and a recipe for “illegal sharing”.
Account sharing is illegal
Photo by Compare Fibre on Unsplash
Those two words are not in quotes by accident. In this context, Gizchina informs that in some countries there is a risk of criminal sanctions. According to the site, this is widely discussed in the UK these days.
For example, the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) there has declared that sharing Netflix passwords is both a criminal and civil offence. “Any allegation of password sharing on a streaming service will be reviewed on an individual basis,” a spokesperson for the IPO said in response to a query.
The only problem is that this thesis works with the hypothesis of a formal charge. And on that level, it’s somewhat tied up, as Netflix has recently made a statement to the effect that it has no plans to chase customers through the courts. Thus, it is probably either direct or indirect intimidation that acts as a warning finger. So the question is what happens next…
Leave a Reply