In July 2023, Netflix implemented a significant policy change in India by ending the practice of password sharing outside a single household. This move was part of a global strategy to curb unauthorized account sharing and boost subscriber growth.
Policy Details Under the new policy, a Netflix account is intended for use by one household only. Users can access their account from various devices within their household, whether at home, on the go, or on holiday. However, sharing login credentials with individuals outside the household is prohibited. To enforce this, Netflix employs methods such as monitoring IP addresses, device IDs, and account activity to determine if a device belongs to the household. If a device is used outside the primary household, users may be required to verify the device through a code sent to the account holder's email or phone number. Additionally, Netflix introduced features like "Transfer Profile" and "Manage Access and Devices" to facilitate account management and ensure compliance with the new policy User Reactions
The policy change has been met with mixed reactions from users in India. Many subscribers expressed frustration over the inability to share their accounts with family members or friends residing in different households. Some users reported difficulties in accessing their accounts while traveling or visiting relatives, as the system flagged such logins as suspicious and required additional verification steps. This has led to a sense of inconvenience among long-time users who were accustomed to sharing their accounts