Just when we thought Netlfix was still good for something (beyond giving us Wednesday) we were sadly proved very wrong. In Netflix speak, you're either the password sharer, or you're currently sharing someone else's, despite the fact that password sharing is technically illegal. Netflix is still one of the few streamers that allow you to share your password with friends, family and ex-partners, but not for much longer. In a genuinely tragic announcement, Netflix has revealed that they will be cracking down on password sharing amongst its users. For many who rely on others to watch Bridgeton, this may end soon.

There is no doubt that password sharing is getting out of hand. “Today’s widespread account sharing (100M+ households) undermines our long-term ability to invest in and improve Netflix, as well as build our business. While our terms of use limit the use of Netflix to a household, we recognise this is a change for members who share their account more broadly,” Netflix said in its fourth-quarter earnings letter.

When will Netflix stop password sharing?

Netflix has already begun to charge its Central and South American users for password sharing. It has confirmed that it will be charging for password sharing globally in the first half of 2023.

Who will this impact?

Thankfully this change won't impact everyone sharing their passwords. If you still live together, you are able to freely watch You from your generous (or ignorant) housemates' Netflix account. If you live in a different household, that's another story.

For those who want to stay on the same Netflix account, there will be an option to pay a fee to remain on the same account. The estimated cost is expected to be $5 AUD or less seeing as the price is $2.99 in USD in the US.

This change will not impact users' accounts as they travel or watch Netflix content from their mobile devices.

Netflix assumes there will be a subscriber loss at first, but that this move will drive more revenue as more users are faced with watching their favourite Netflix shows or paying the subscription costs.