Netflix sharing to be banned in UK 'by end of the month' with customers forced to pay more to use same account

17 May 2023, 12:15 | Updated: 17 May 2023, 13:47

Netflix says password sharing has damaged its business
Netflix says password sharing has damaged its business. Picture: Alamy
Kieran Kelly

By Kieran Kelly

Netflix plans to stop users from sharing their accounts 'by the end of the month' with the steaming service holding talks with UK telecoms groups ahead of the crackdown.

The streaming giant has drawn up plans to stop multiple users taking advantage of the same account when they don't live with one another and will instead make users pay to share their passwords.

It has already ran a trial in Canada, New Zealand, Spain and Portugal, while in South America, it costs up to £3 to allow others to use your login details.

UK telecoms groups that use Netflix as part of TV bundles, including BT and Virgin Media, have been spoken to regarding the crackdown, the Financial Times reports.

It comes after Netflix shedded 200,000 subscribes one year ago, the first time its subscribers fell in more than a decade.

Listen and subscribe to Unprecedented: Inside Downing Street on Global Player

Netflix
Netflix. Picture: Alamy

The crackdown will work by encouraging users to set their primary location, meaning anyone who lives in the same house can use their account.

But if the account is used outside that primary location, Netflix will get in touch with the account holder.

It is also believed adverts may start to appear before programmes begin.

Read More: Netflix reveals when it will crack down on password sharing as customers braced to pay more to use same account

Read More: Harry plans another Netflix show as William set to appear in fly-on-the-wall documentary

Netflix had initially planned to introduce the crackdown earlier in the year.

But after trials in other parts of the world, the streaming service saw a number of users cancel their accounts, leading to lower membership growth.

After an initial dip, some users started to add "extra members" accounts, which the company says boosted revenue, according to the publication.

According to the company's latest figures, around 100 million households across the globe shared their accounts with other users.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

The Princess of Wales has shares portraits drawn by her three children during the half-term break.

Princess of Wales shares heartwarming portraits drawn by kids George, Charlotte and Louis during half-term break

Double Olympic champion and Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas will retire from cycling this year.

Tour de France winner and double Olympic champion Geraint Thomas to retire from cycling at end of season

A 13-year-old boy has died and five others have been arrested following  a car crash on A672 Oldham Road.

Boy, 13, dies and five others arrested as Vauxhall Corsa spins off road in horror car crash

Lisa Smith, 43, was named by Kent Police

Pictured: Mother-of-two shot dead at pub on Valentine's Day - as police search river Thames for partner

Julia Wandelt who has claimed to be Madeleine McCann

Woman who claims to be Madeleine McCann releases bombshell new DNA test results

Pope Francis will need to remain in hospital with a respiratory tract infection

Pope to remain in hospital with infection as doctors tackle 'complex clinical picture'

One lucky punter scooped £65m on the EuroMillions

Lucky UK ticket-holder claims £65m Valentine's Day EuroMillions jackpot

A life-drawing class that has been running for over 30 years has been told its models must cover-up or find a new venue.

Models at life drawing class in posh London neighbourhood told to cover up over child 'safeguarding' concerns

Exclusive
An investigation by LBC can reveal there are more than 1.1m homes sitting empty across England - the equivalent of one in every 23.

More than 1.1m homes sitting empty across England as thousands left at risk of homelessness

William Howell was found dead in the Aria Casino Hotel in August 2023

Heartbroken family of British man 'left alone to die' in Las Vegas suing ambulance company and hotel where he died

Conor Maynard shared a health update after his fall

Singer Conor Maynard gives health update after being rushed to hospital on stretcher

Lisa Smith, 43, has been named by Kent Police as the victim of the shooting on Valentine's Day

Mother-of-two shot dead at pub on Valentines’ Day is named - as tributes paid to ‘wonderful mum’

Bafta winners

Conclave and The Brutalist win big at 2025 BAFTA awards - as absent Gascón nomination met with rousing applause

Jennifer Rauchet, Pete Hegest, US defence secretary, and Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, Minister of Defence of Poland, during a welcoming ceremony in Warsaw, Poland, on February 14, 2025.

Ukraine is the 'frontline' of Britain, Starmer says as US begins peace talks with Russia

A fire that engulfed luxury hotel Chiltern Firehouse reportedly started in a pizza oven.

Fire that engulfed celebrity haunt Chiltern Firehouse 'started in pizza oven' of luxury hotel

Julie Buckley, 54, has not been seen since late January when she went missing from the village of Christchurch, Cambridgeshire.

Man charged with murder in 'no-body' case after woman goes missing in Cambridgeshire