Netflix’s crackdown on account password sharing has arrived in the UK, forcing ‘Flix freeloaders’ to pay their way.
Users will only be able to use each other’s accounts if they live in the same household.
The popular binge-watching service, which has over 230 million customers, made the announcement this week in over 100 countries.
Users will have to pay an extra £4.99 per month if they wish to let someone they do not live with to use their account.
They have not stated how they intend to verify subscribers’ identities or accounts.
The news will be delivered in an email to their customers explaining the sharing policies and new features.
The company said: ‘A Netflix account is for use by one household. Everyone living in that household can use Netflix wherever they are – at home, on the go, on holiday – and take advantage of new features like Transfer Profile and Manage Access and Devices.
‘We recognise that our members have many entertainment choices. It’s why we continue to invest heavily in a wide variety of new films and TV programmes – so whatever your taste, mood or language and whoever you’re watching with, there’s always something satisfying to watch on Netflix.’
Anyone with a separate Netflix profile on someone else’s account will be able to transfer their profile to a new membership – which they will then have to pay for.
There will also be new capabilities to enable users know who is using their account and remove anyone who shouldn’t be.
The rules will still allow customers to utilise the streaming platform whether on vacation or out and about – but only for persons who live in the same house.
Latin America, Canada, New Zealand, Portugal, and Spain have already implemented the programme.