r Netflix is testing a way it can limit password sharing, in what could signal a notable shift of the streaming giant’s posture toward users.“Is this your account?” an on-screen notification asks some of those trying to log on with credentials from someone outside their household, according to users’ screenshots. “If you don’t live with the owner of this account, you need your own account to keep watching.”Users can then enter their own information and create an account, which comes with a 30-day free trial in certain territories.“This test is designed to help ensure that people using Netflix accounts are authorized to do so,” a company spokesperson said in a statement.
Source: Netflix Is Testing A Way To Limit Password Sharing – Deadline
Two Factor Authentication verse Location-Based
This measure is an ineffective approach at best, and a hindrance, worst-case scenario to those valid Netflix users who travel often and take their streaming service on the road. Many other Internet Services, beyond content streaming, are now implementing a 2-Factor Authentication (2-FA) approach. With 2-FA, a user will log into the Netflix app, and then is sent an email or text message with an authentication code. The code is then used to complete the login of the Software as a Service (SaaS). This approach could be extended to VOD streaming services, and for each account “Profile”, there is a defined mobile number and email address where the access code can be sent. Only the default account profile can unlock the security details for profiles, allowing the assignment of mobile numbers and email addresses.
How Will Consumers React?
The initial pilot solution seems like a half measure at the moment. I’m not familiar with how they will implement the location-based, “Outside Your Household” solution because of a legitimate use case where some people who have subscriptions actively travel, for example. Surely, these people who travel will appear to be in various locations, according to network topology. On the other side, if you apply a multifactor authentication approach, that’s bound to be more successful in inhibiting the “password sharing” issue. Netflix defines/reevaluates a maximum number of user-profiles per account. Will this help generate more revenue for the “fledgling” streaming service, or anger their audience who may take flight to one of the many other services offered. It’s not the cheapest streaming service in town. Let’s see.
