[Asia Economy Reporter Nana] As Netflix plans to crack down on 'secret viewing' through password sharing, Netflix users are strongly opposing, saying they will 'move to Disney+.'
According to foreign media on the 14th, Netflix is recently making efforts to prevent unauthorized viewing by blocking multiple people from sharing and using one paid subscriber's account password.
If password sharing is suspected, Netflix sends a code via text message or email to the account owner to verify their identity. If verification is not completed, a notice appears stating, "(If you) do not live with the account owner, you need your own account to continue watching," and the access screen is interrupted.
The existing Netflix 'Standard Plan' subscription fee is $13.99, allowing multiple people to watch Netflix simultaneously. As many people split the cost by $2 to $3 each and share passwords or accounts through online communities, Netflix has taken measures to prevent 'unauthorized viewing.' Previously, the global research firm Magid reported that about 33% of 200 million users worldwide share passwords. For Netflix, this means missing out on approximately $192 million (about 220 billion KRW as of 2019) in revenue.
However, Netflix's move has sparked backlash from users. On social networking services (SNS), comments such as "If siblings don't live together, are they not family?" and "I will rather move to Disney+ or Amazon Prime" are continuing in response to Netflix's measures.
A user in the UK said, "Netflix is showing excessive greed as it becomes anxious about competition," and "Raising prices while tightening user regulations will only corner them." Another user from the Asia region criticized, "I shared a friend's ID to access, but Netflix is telling me to 'either live together with your friend or get a job.'"
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