New Netflix anti-password sharing block is finally catching people out

You never know what you've got until it's gone, and now Netflix users are realising exactly how good they used to have it as

its controversial new anti-password sharing feature is starting to catch people out.

For weeks now, there have been headlines and horror stories about Netflix introducing a new feature which prevents people who live in different homes from sharing the same Netflix account.

It began merely as something for 'future you' to worry about, but for many users the 'future' has arrived.

In an update shared on 8 February, Netflix explained that it has been exploring for the last year 'different approaches to address' the issue of password sharing in Latin America.

This week, it started to roll out the feature in Canada, New Zealand, Portugal and Spain, saying its focus 'has been on giving members greater control over who can access their account'.

Videos shared online show people starting to realise that Netflix has made good on its decision, with many devastated to try and select a title only to be met with a screen which reads: "A Netflix account is for people who live in the same location."

Pixabay

The page continues: "Everyone who lives at your primary location can use Netflix when they're on the go or travelling. If this is your account, we'll help you set your primary location on the next screen."

Netflix's decision has been met with backlash from users, with some even showing themselves cancelling their subscription after the new feature came into force.

One particularly frustrated user tweeted: "Cancel Netflix. They just lost my business. "Password-sharing" is not a thing, it's called password-using. This is regressive bullsh*t borne out of capitalist greed to squeeze more money out of us. People paid for a password and they use it wherever they go."

@scoliomama/Twitter

The streaming service explains that accounts are 'intended for one household and members can choose from a range of plans with different features', though it notes members on its Standard or Premium can 'add an extra member sub account for up to two people they don’t live with' for an added cost.

Anti-password sharing hasn't yet hit the UK or the US, but the increased rollout of the feature indicates that it is coming. Netflix's co-CEO Greg Peters has already revealed that features to prevent password sharing will be rolled out in the US by the end of March, so with the clock ticking down, you better get your bingeing in while you can.

Topics: Netflix, TV and Film, TikTok

Emily Brown

Emily Brown is the Community Desk Lead at LADbible Group. Emily first began delivering news when she was just 11 years old - with a paper route. She went on to graduate with a BA Hons in English Language in the Media from Lancaster University before contributing to The Sunday Times Travel Magazine and Student Problems. She joined UNILAD in 2018 to cover breaking news, trending stories and longer form features, and now works as Community Desk Lead to commission and write human interest stories from across the globe.