Netflix is attempting to clear the air.
The streaming platform recently made headlines when a list of stipulations created in an effort to minimize password sharing went viral. The once-leading streaming service has experienced a dive in popularity over the past year due to its previous efforts to crack down on password sharing, and the cancellation of multiple original programming titles.
Matters behind the scenes have also landed Netflix in hot water as well; the company made sizable employee layoffs last year, with the aftermath of their decision inspiring lots of social media conversation.
Subscribers were extremely upset with the platform for the aforementioned viral password-sharing ‘rules.’ Many threatened to cancel their subscriptions. Resulting subscription cancellations would add to the company’s already-dwindling numbers.
An unknown source would later attempt to clarify the situation, explaining the ‘rules’ were posted to the platform’s official Help center in error.
What Were The Stipulations?
Countless Netflix subscribers were furious as a result of the platform’s alleged new user requirements.
According to The Blast’s report on the matter, users would have to log into Netflix on their primary network once a month, or their account would be banned.
If users were to travel or be away from their home network for a period of time, they could notify Netflix and the streamer would provide them with a temporary code to log in, which would be valid for seven days.
Needless to say, subscribers across America expressed their distaste over the obstacles that could result if and when these rules were to be implemented. The aforementioned source also clarified that these stipulations only applied to a handful of international countries. Those include Peru, Chile, and Costa Rica.
The source’s full statement read, “For a brief time yesterday, a help center article containing new information that is only applicable to Chile, Costa Rica, and Peru, went live in other countries. We’ve since updated it.” (per The Blast, via Forbes Australia)
Netflix Tweets Further Clarification On The Matter
We know there’s been a lot of confusion about sharing Netflix.
A Netflix account is intended for one household, so we’re rolling out new features in Canada, New Zealand, Portugal, and Spain (and more broadly in the coming months) to give you more control over your account…
— Netflix (@netflix) February 8, 2023
The streaming service attempted to give further clarification via its official Twitter account on Wednesday.
In a thread, the official Netflix US account explained, “We know there’s been a lot of confusion about sharing Netflix. A Netflix account is intended for one household, so we’re reeling out new features in Canada, New Zealand, Portugal, and Spain (and more broadly in the coming months) to give you more control over your account…” the first tweet in the thread concludes.
The platform included a link in a second tweet to its official ‘About’ page, writing, “and yes, you can still watch Netflix while traveling!”
As of this writing, plans for implementing any new stipulations for American users are unknown.
Responses quickly poured in, including further mention of an old and viral tweet from the platform which reads, “Love is sharing a password.”
“Just give up,” a Twitter user said explicitly. “There is no spinning this positively and you are going to look awful no matter what. There’s no confusion here, it’s very clear what you are doing and people do not like it. Just accept you are going to lose more customers and deal with it.”
“I love how this is being reframed as an opportunity for the customers to control OUR accounts. This after reversing its decision to do this to its US customers. Can’t wait to give my continued business to Prime, Crave, Disney+. Netflix used to be cool,” another tweeted.
“No. There hasn’t been a lot of confusion,” an additional user tweeted. “Maybe behind the scenes at Netflix corporate. But it’s very clear to all of us that this is a huge money grab that will and has backfired. Hopefully our Canadian, New Zealander Portuguese, and Spanish friends can do the same.”
Netflix has not given any additional response at this time.
