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Streaming giant detailed its criteria for restricting account sharing

Netflix has detailed its criteria for restricting account sharing. IP address, device ID, verification code, holder email address… here are the main points to remember.

We knew it from theory: Netflix will restrict free account sharing outside the home. Now the giant SVOD is getting down to business. In the coming weeks, the American company will begin to execute its plan. And from a support page available on their website, we now know more about Netflix's account sharing rules, as seen by the Huffington Post on January 31, 2023.

As expected, the service will rely on several signals to establish the legitimacy of devices logging into an account. Three criteria are announced: the IP address (which is the registration range of your internet access point), the device identifier and the account activity. Netflix does not specify whether other indicators are used.

If all devices connect from the house associated with the Netflix account, there will be no problem. At least, within the limits of what is foreseen in the offer that the Internet user has chosen (there is a specific number of simultaneous screens, depending on the selected package). But in the case of a smartphone or computer accessing the account from elsewhere, it gets complicated.

What is a Netflix Family?...it is the one that owns the Netflix account. For a device to be considered part of the household, it must connect to that household's Wi-Fi network at least once a month (every 31 days). In this context, several smartphones and computers can join the platform (but not necessarily at the same time).

How to verify a device on Netflix... In this case, Netflix may "ask to verify it before it can be used to watch Netflix or switch families". This applies both to a device already identified on the account and to a new connection. This procedure involves a few steps and requires the help of the account holder.

-Someone tries to log into a Netflix account from a location that is not, a priori, the residence of the subscription holder;

-Netflix sends the owner a link to their email address or phone number (both associated with the account);

-A 4-digit confirmation code is displayed on this link;

-This code must be entered by the person trying to connect with your device;

-Access to the Netflix account is then validated;

-Device verification can then return on an ad hoc basis.

This new feature cannot be disabled in the SVOD service settings. The only way to avoid this is to ensure that all connections to the account are made from the holder's home (within the limit of simultaneously authorized devices). Once we get out of that frame, this check could happen regularly.

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