Netflix: the blocking of shared accounts could be applied with this mechanism

Controversy has generated Netflix’s decision to start charging users extra so they can share their passwords with people who do not live at the same address. It is a common practice where users, among friends and family, shared their application passwords and designated a user for each one (to have their information on series and episodes viewed in order).

The collection measure announced by Netflix aims for these users who shared the accounts to pay for it. To add an extra member in Standard and Premium accounts, a subaccount will be added so that two people, who do not live with the owner, can access their own profile with recommendations and their own password.

The values ​​that Netflix will charge

The value of this new function will be:

1. Chile: $2,380
2. Costa Rica: $2.99 ​​USD
3. Peru: $7.9 PEN

In addition to this, the option to transfer a profile to a new account will be introduced, saving the history, personalized recommendations and user lists. The extra charge for sharing the password of the streaming platform has a ‘pilot’ character and will be carried out in three Latin American countries, Chile, Costa Rica and Peru.

According to the company’s official website, the popularity of the streaming service has created “some confusion about when and how Netflix can be shared”, which has affected “our ability to invest” in series or movies.

How are they going to control?

One of the big questions that have arisen is what technological tools Netflix has to monitor compliance in this new system. Already in 2021, the platform made a trial period for this: it will depend on the account holder’s smartphone.

Several European users received a particular message from Netflix on their screens, when they were shared accounts. In fact, as indicated in GammaWire, the message said “If you do not live with the owner of this account, you need your own account to continue watching.” Of course, it also offered the option to verify that you are the owner of the account by receiving an email or text message with a verification code. This, to the smartphone.

A third option was a button that said “Check later” and in principle allowed the user to continue watching Netflix for an undetermined time. However, sooner or later the option to verify the account or create a new one would appear again.

How does Netflix know that the user is not the account owner? This is most likely due to the location of the device trying to play. If it does not coincide, for example, with the place where the mobile or tablet is also located, there is something suspicious there and enough to launch a verification message.

Legal background

Netflix would also have to resolve legal issues. The National Corporation of Consumers and Users (Conadecus) of Chile pointed out that this is a measure “it comes to impose a unilateral charge, arbitrarily, and that it was not previously agreed upon.” Chile is one of three countries in Latin America where this change would apply.

Antonio Olivares, a lawyer for the organization, pointed out that “it generates two problems for consumers that are quite relevant.” The first conflict has to do with “the way in which it is going to determine that there is a person who has contracted a service that is shared, is not within the place that is providing this service”.

Likewise, the lawyer said that the second thing is that “he comes to impose a charge that is unilateral, that it determines arbitrarily and that was not previously agreed with consumers.” “This implies a unilateral modification of the contract, and therefore, a serious affectation of the rights of consumers, being a situation that should be rendered null and void and not be able to modify the contracts that are currently in force with consumers,” emphasized the representative. of Conadecus. Therefore, the new function that the streaming platform seeks to apply would not be so easily applicable. At least in that country.