Netflix Announces Paid Account Sharing in Korea... 5,000 KRW When Watching with Friends

Global leading online video service (OTT) Netflix has announced plans to implement a charging policy for users who share accounts with others in South Korea.

On the 2nd, Netflix stated, "The intended users of a Netflix account are members of a single household," and announced that it will begin informing domestic members about the new account sharing features.

[Photo by Netflix Newsroom]

Users who wish to continue sharing their Netflix account with people not belonging to the same household must pay an additional 5,000 KRW per month. Alternatively, they can sign up for a new membership separately through the profile transfer feature and transfer the profile currently used on the shared account. Creating a separate account costs 17,000 KRW for Premium and 13,500 KRW for Standard.

Starting today, Netflix will gradually send emails containing this information to guide customers.

It has not been disclosed how many additional members will be allowed upon paying the 5,000 KRW fee. In overseas markets where the account sharing charging policy was first implemented, Premium accounts can add up to two additional members, while Standard accounts can add one additional member to the main account.

Account Sharing Billing Notification Email
[Photo by Netflix Newsroom]

If an external user who does not live together or an external device accesses Netflix, a service guidance message will be displayed, allowing options such as creating additional members. Netflix uses information such as IP addresses, device IDs, and account activity to determine whether users reside in the same household, in accordance with the Netflix Privacy Policy agreed upon at membership registration. Users can continue to use Netflix as usual when accessing from their own device during travel or business trips.

The schedule for implementing account sharing restrictions has not yet been finalized. A Netflix representative stated, "It will be implemented gradually."

Starting in February this year with Canada, New Zealand, Portugal, and Spain, Netflix is progressively rolling out the new account sharing features across North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. Netflix estimates that out of 247 million subscribed households worldwide, over 100 million households share accounts.