Jessica Guynn|USA TODAY
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Guess who’s using your Netflix account? The answer may surprise you.
If you have ever shared your Netflix password with aroommate, an ex or your dorm, there could be a lot more people logging into your account than you think.
With Netflix preparing to crack down on password sharing, most of us probably can’t afford random acquaintances or total strangers freeloading off our Netflix accounts. So Netflix has made it easy to check if anyone is accessing youraccount who shouldn’t.
The popular streaming service used to encourage sharing your Netflix password with friends and family. But it has changed its tune as subscriber growth slowed amid growing competition and a return to pre-pandemic viewing habits.
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What are the new Netflix password sharing rules?
About 100 million people watch Netflix using someone else’s account, according to a company estimate.
Later this year Netflix will begin charging U.S. subscribers a bit extra each month if they hand over their credentials to someone outside their household.
“A Netflix account is meant to be shared in one household (people who live in the same location with the account owner),” Netflix says. “People who are not in your household will need to sign up for their own account to watch Netflix.”
The new policy leaves most of us with a difficult decision: Pay more each month even as high inflation makes us wince or cut off Netflix account sharers.
How do I see who is using my Netflix account?
A Netflix tool lets you see where and when your account is being accessed. The results have surprised some people.
“I just changed my Netflix password, it’s way too many people using my login,” one person recently tweeted.
How do you check who else is logging into your Netflix account?
- Log into your account.
- Tap on your profile icon in the upper right-hand corner.
- Tap on “Account.”
- Scroll down to “Security and Privacy” and tap on “Manage access and devices.”
- You will see the most recent devices active on youraccount.
Cyril Noel-Tagoe, principal security researcher with security firm Netacea, recommends regularly checking the Netflix dashboard to look for unfamiliar devices.
"If any unexpected activity is identified, they should change their password and sign out of Netflix on all their devices," Noel-Tagoe said.
