Lehto's Law: Netflix Cracking Down HARD on Password Sharing

[TheBlackAdder]

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[MichMan]

1. It's theft of services

I have zero sympathy for those who steal

[chia]

2. Interestingly, Netflix tweeted in 2017 "Love is sharing a password."

Link to tweet

?s=20

[MichMan]

3. This isn't 2017.

Policies can change. People should feel fortunate they got away with it as long as they did.

[chia]

4. It's not "getting away with it" when Netflix condoned and encouraged it.

[MichMan]

5. And now they decided that anyone who does it may face criminal charges

It isn't relevant if they once allowed it. Policies can be changed.

I seriously doubt people have a written contract stating they can share passwords for an indefinite amount of time.

Do you believe that Netflix has no legal standing to stop it as a theft of services?

[ColinC]

6. Not only has netflix condoned and supported it, but they continue to allow people to have multiple

profiles on the same account for multiple people. Perhaps they should eliminate that policy before alleging account sharing is theft?

[sl8]

11. Multiple profiles remain useful for multiple people in the same household. nt

[ColinC]

13. Are household members expected to start a new account every time they travel?

Despite their profile and preferences being secure on that same account? That isn’t reasonable.

[sl8]

14. I wouldn't think so, no.

No more than I would, when I travel. Have you seen something that indicates people travelling can't access their account?

If you move out permanently, then you'd no longer be a household member.

[ColinC]

16. The issue is that password sharing is theft of services

The malleability of the term “household member” is also at question. If somebody stays a residence once a month with a permanent room, are they still a household member? If they are gone for 6 months or on TDY or deployment for a year are they still household members? How about if they go away for school? I imagine many of these cases to be the subject of charges given that Netflix is suggesting a zero tolerance policy on password sharing.

[MichMan]

17. Could an entire college dorm claim to be a household?

What about a frat house or sorority ? Technically they are all under one roof



Why do I feel like too many people think Netflix is being unreasonable ?

[ColinC]

18. The term "household" and the intentional allowance of multiple users

Etc is going to make successful convictions quite difficult. And related lawsuits dysfunctionally expensive.

[LeftInTX]

26. If I have more than one Netflix tab open, Netflix shuts it down.

I can't watch Netflix on my computer and TV at the same time.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

22. You're allowed if it's immediate family ... for sure if you're in the same household

Mom and Dad have their profiles, the kids have theirs, etc. Viewing prefs may be very different, you see?

IOW, there's reasons for multiple profiles on one account that are legit/within their policies.

[ColinC]

25. They allow and continue to allow multiple uses on a limited number of platforms.

They might even start charging for multiple platforms -which they started to do in Brazil. It’s doubtful there will be much more that comes out of the Netflix password news besides that.

[chia]

19. I believe it wasn't theft until they decided to stop promoting password sharing.

I'll roll with their policy change, but certainly will not agree with you that it's always been theft, precisely because Netflix didn't see it as theft themselves, until they did.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

21. I think you misinterpret the meaning of this sentiment

There's nothing untoward about, say, a husband and wife sharing a password to the same bank account, is there? Doing so ... connotes a certain level of trust don't you think? It's kinda romantic, you know, like love?

And that's not against the rules of the bank.

Sharing your Netflix password ... comes with rules.

[ColinC]

23. Honestly I think this whole "criminal charges for password sharing"

Is being blown out of proportion. Netflix has always allowed password sharing and continues to do so since they allow a certain amount of platforms for the password to be shared on, and are going to be charging for the extra platforms later. I think the criminal charges thing would come if those rules are somehow being skirted. Which is kinda to your point, I suppose.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

8. But that's when I shared my password.

I passed it around like candy. Oops.

[Irish_Dem]

7. Do family members have to get separate accounts now?

[ColinC]

9. Netflix still allows multiple profiles on the same account

But are apparently going to prosecute people for using them.

[sl8]

10. Not if they're in the same household. nt

[Irish_Dem]

15. Thank you.

[OilemFirchen]

20. Netflix restricts the number of simultaneous streaming devices - from 1 to 4 depending on the plan.

I think it's doubtful Netflix will find any evil password-sharing cabals running amok.

[ColinC]

24. This.

The whole “criminal charges” thing is blowing everything out of proportion and is quite ridiculous. There will be no criminal charges for password sharing, unless people were somehow able to skirt the rules entirely and hide the fact they are using more than the allowed/ paid for number of platforms