Netflix is testing ways to end password sharing and push viewers to pay extra

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

Just a few weeks after announcing its latest price hike, the company announced it was cracking down on the practice of password sharing between people who don't live in the same household by requiring them to pay an extra fee.

While these household plans have been hugely popular, they have also created some confusion about when and how to share. Our ability to invest in great new TV and films for our members has been impacted by accounts being shared between households.

During the test period, the company will try out its approach in three countries. In addition to the ability to transfer viewing profiles into new accounts, subscribers will also get to add an extra viewer to their package at a discounted price.

This isn't the first time that the company has restricted password sharing. The company tried out an account verification tool last year to keep unauthorized users out of others' accounts.

Adding an extra member and a transfer profile suggest that the company is thinking about how it can keep growing. If it is to hold the throne as streaming king, it needs to keep funding more expensive originals. In the announcement today, Long said that the money had to come from somewhere.

We were aware that the password cracking was coming. Enjoy your parents' shared credentials while you can.

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