Netflix Will Hunt YOU Down!
 

I guess Netflix isn’t too happy with folks sharing their Netflix passwords with non subscribers. Apparently some British software company has developed a program designed to stop users of media streaming services, such as HBO and Netflix, from illegally sharing passwords to their accounts with others.
The way it works is the streaming service companies would hire this software company which in turn uses AI and “behavioral analytics and machine learning,” (whatever that is), to monitor and analyse password sharing activity across user accounts. The AI would then identify the rule breakers, as well as detect the fine line between finding account sharers and harassing a customer.
Now don’t ya’ll be sharing those passwords boys and girls!

With Netflix though, you can only stream so many devices at the same time depending on the plan. So, I don't understand the problem.

According to Netflix, "the number of users that can stream at the same time will depend on your Netflix plan," those who pass on their credentials unlawfully can be chased and identified by an algorithm used by the software company.
Apparently Millennials are the major offenders. Netflix suspects at least 26% of Millennials are sharing passwords in violation of Netflix rules. How they would know that is beyond me.

Yes, but since, for example, some plans only allow one steam at a time, what's the big deal? It's not like a dozen people on the same account are streaming simultaneously.

What is this "Netflix" you speak of?? If I have the spare time to watch TV and have any brainpower left after work, I should be playing my guitar or doing any of a hundred other things. We don't have cable, use Hulu, or any other subscription service. Plus we DVR everything and zap commercials and the theme music for the very few shows that we watch.

The big deal is the fine print in the user agreement. Netflix is in business to sell streaming content not to give it away for free.

I use my account in several locations as do many users, I don't see how subscribers would not see this as harassment.

Yeah, seems to me Netflix has enough problems already and don’t need to be ticking off their subscribers. I recall reading somewhere that Netflix is in deep doo doo financially.

According to their 2017 financials, they made $560mm in net profit. I would say they are doing ok financially.

Also, Netflix is advanced enough that they wouldn't need to hire an outside firm to determine this. Just because a software company makes a piece of software doesn't mean that the streamers will use it. I happily pay for my Netflix subscription and don't know anyone who shares, but I know it happens.

I think Netflix would be better off continuing to create unique content than paying for software to find people sharing their passwords.

If Netflix is having financial problems, that would seem to be all the more reason to crack down on illegal password sharing.

To me, Netflix is one of the best bargains in TV content. For like, 20 bucks a month you have unlimited access to your choice of uninterrupted, commercial free movies and shows. Commercial free. No need to even hold your finger on the FF button. Plus, if you want to watch one show in the living room, your spouse can watch a different one in the den, the kids can watch something else in their rooms. Which is what I think Netflix intended by allowing streaming content on multiple devices. (How this changes family dynamics is a discussion for another thread).

So let them crack down on illegal sharing of passwords. I want them to become financially solvent, so that I can continue to enjoy their service.

Definitely agree on Netflix value. Not even a dollar a day to access more stuff than you could watch in a life time.

My netflix account allows two simultaneous users/devices. It doesnt care who or where they are.

As others have pointed out after me, it shouldn't matter where the devices are located. Everyone has Netflix on multiple devices which are seldom in the same location.

So, again, I don't see any problem.

Thanks for the info, i didnt know you could i figured they used a MAC address for your router or TV, but now i know i can share...lol

Isn’t password sharing outside the members of your own household a violation of the user agreement?

4.2. The Netflix service and any content viewed through our service are for your personal and non-commercial use only and may not be shared with individuals beyond your household.

You are correct.

If your account is streaming in 15 locations simultaneously, it doesn't take a fancy piece of software to realize you've shared your password.

Well now you sure have a point there brother! 😂

As I was reading this thread a song was coelessing in the back of my mind..
based on this (Think the chord progression from "Shelter from the storm)
Dogged and shadowed like the sleepy hollow moon
Algorithm found me , I was ended way to soon.

Maybe ... but PROVE that the 2nd session isn't ME.

I've had Netflix since forever and have pretty much always been happy with it. I do take exception with them when it comes to making mega deals on questionable material, Adam Sandler and 100 mil for Friends for instance. I didn't watch any of that drek the first time it came around and don't care to pay for any more of it. Oh well.

Well the big deal is that cheating. Cheating is stealing in this case. When lots of people do it, it is very costly to the entity that is selling streaming subscriptions. So, the problem is theft of property that is supposed to be rented. No it doesn't matter where you stream from as I do it when I travel and therefore am doing it from multiple locations - from one computer. Where isn't the issue, neither would be multiple people with the same account, but sharing the account (same as running a splitter from your neighbor's house to steal cable tv) is theft.

I guess I might be being not clear. What I mean is how can they possibly tell which is which? Also, this is the reason why there are limits as to how many devices that can stream simultaneously... to prevent theft.

But you can't stream 15 locations at once with Netflix.

I can't say but I would say that the best reason to limit how many devices can stream at a time would be to control bandwidth. They need to know/control how many subscriptions x users to know how much bandwidth to have available. That cost's money.

Isn’t this kinda like me buying a six pack at the store and the checkout clerk then tells me I can’t share it with anyone else?

Not at all. You didn't purchase, or own, anything. You rented it for a time. The ownership, and therefore the right to set usage, remains with the owner.

No if it's a 6 pack of soft drinks then your simply helping to spread unhealthy drinking habits, :D

But if it's a 6 pack of beer, then it's like the clerk saying it's illegal to give it to minors

OK Steve, probably a bad analogy, but it was the only one I could think of at the moment. 🤪

Hmmm. Kinda reminds me of the Napster illegal downloading outrage of years ago.

Whatever happened to Napster? Is that still around. Man I remember when that was all the rage.