Netflix is ​​testing a system to prevent customers from sharing passwords

San Francisco. Netflix streaming entertainment platform confirmed on Friday rumors over the course of this week that it is testing a new system to prevent customers from sharing passwords and using the service without residing alongside the owner of the account.

In a statement, the Los Gatos-based company, California, explained that the method being tested these days “is designed to help ensure that people who use Netflix accounts are allowed to do so.” .

In recent days, several users had shared on social media screenshots of Netflix in which the message appeared: “If you do not live with the owner of this account, you must have your own account to continue watching content.” .

In case the recipient of the message wanted to continue using the service, he had to verify that he was the account holder (or that he was in contact with it) by entering a code that was sent by email or message. of text to the address or number associated with the holder.

Thus, the system would not focus on detecting those who share their password with relatives living in the same household (something allowed by company policies), but on preventing cases in which a user is taking advantage of a another without his consent from another house.

The California firm did not provide details on how many people are participating in this test or whether it has a timeline to start sending messages officially.

According to company data, Netflix has 200 million subscribers worldwide and 33% of them share the password with at least one other person, according to a study conducted by the market research firm Magid.