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Netflix users have vowed to boycott the streaming platform after it announced a crackdown on the sharing of passwords to access its services.
Password sharing has become synonymous with the TV and movie streaming giant, with some people even discovering their ex has been piggybacking on their account and using it for free several years after they split up.
However, Netflix bosses have announced that that will become a thing of the past very soon, as new rules are imminently going to come into force to prevent people from sharing their passwords with others.
As expected, the rule change has not gone down well with some users, who have been well-meaningly sharing their own account with friends and family members.
Netflix announced last week that it will be rolling out a "paid sharing" scheme by the end of March 2023, which will detect when a log-in is attempted outside of the primary account holder's home.
The person attempting to log in will then be required to enter a validation code within 15 minutes, without which they will not be able to access the service.
Netflix will also reportedly allow the main account holder to add up to two additional users who won't be asked for validation codes onto their account.
For those who do share their passwords, extra charges will apply, reportedly working out around $3, per Metro, but it is not yet known if this will be rolled out worldwide or just in certain countries.
Main account holders and additional users will also still be able to access the service while travelling, according to reports.
Understandably, many password-sharers haven't exactly welcomed the news, tweeting: "Netflix better get ready for a mass exodus, I'm not paying for just myself to have 4K Netflix, I'll be dropping it if I can't share."
Another added: "I get that some people take advantage of stuff like this, but not being able to share an account with family?? Times are already hard enough for people."
One user commented: "[Netflix] won't have to worry about people password sharing anymore. People are just going to simply cancel their subscriptions instead. What a joke. Watch them crumble."
Another wrote: "This didn't age well, isn't it @Netflix? They are expecting that some people will cancel their subscriptions once they implement the pay-sharing password program... Don't say... Garbage #Netflix shows, cancellations, and now this?"
The crackdown was initially announced last year after a wave of subscribers cancelled their accounts after lockdown restrictions were eased amid the pandemic.
According to Netflix, over 1o0 million viewers are tuning in with passwords they have borrowed from friends and family, out of which they are planning to encourage people to become main subscribers themselves with the new rules.
Netflix is expecting some people to leave the platform "as some borrowers stop watching either because they don’t convert to extra members or full paying accounts," per IGN, but believes its "great slate of programming" will encourage many to convert to being paid members.
Newly-appointed co-CEO Greg Peters also claimed that Netflix is expecting some users to cancel their plans in "frustration" at the changes and price rises, per IGN, but will rejoin when there is a programme they want to see.
Therefore, Netflix is projecting "modest growth" of subscribers in Q1 with the numbers fluctuating throughout the year before eventually levelling out once people get used to the changes.
