Goodbye Netflix? The end of shared accounts in Spain has arrived and users seem annoyed

( Spanish) — Netflix announced that as of this Wednesday it will restrict access to shared accounts in Spain and three other countries. In other words, it will no longer allow other users to enter an account with only an email and password and enjoy the programming of the platform.

The measure has already been applied in some Latin American countries such as Chile, Costa Rica and Peru. There, since March of last year, a new function has been available so that subscribers can share their account outside the home in an “easy and safe way, although also paying a little more”.

This is the “Add Extra Member” or “Extra Members” feature, where you can basically share your accounts with people outside of your household, paying an extra amount for each member added.

Now the turn is for Spain, Canada, New Zealand and Portugal. The reason? Netflix says it’s losing capacity to create stories. Or something simpler: you are losing money.

“There are now more than 100 million households that share their accounts, which reduces our ability to invest in creating great stories, told with the highest quality series and movies,” says a company statement.

The company will help users in these four countries set up their accounts to be used only by people living in the same household, manage access and devices for those who use the same account, and transfer a person’s profile to a new account, that is, keep your personalized recommendations, the history of content that has been viewed, lists and more.

However, the company warned that this new model will allow users to view their content and access their account when they are traveling or log in on another TV, for example from a hotel or vacation rental.

The charge of an extra amount

And since it is about charging to see, Netflix launched in Spain, Canada, New Zealand and Portugal the option of adding an extra subscriber by paying an additional amount to the subscription, for a maximum of two people who do not live in the same household. .

“Each of these sub-accounts will have its own profile, personalized recommendations, username and password, at an additional cost of €5.99 per month per person (in Spain),” the company said in a statement.

In Latin American countries that have this model already active, for each extra member, the subscriber with the main account will have to pay an additional amount:

Chili: 2,380 Chilean pesos
Costa Rica: $2.99
Peru: 7.9 Peruvian soles

According to Netflix rules, a paying subscriber’s account can only be shared with people who live in the same household as the subscriber in question. However, if an account is currently shared in most of the countries where this streaming service is located, nothing may happen or a request will arrive to verify the device to be sure that it is not a misuse of the service. account, as the company’s Help Center points out.

Criticism of Netflix for the changes

Users in Spain have used their social networks to criticize the company for implementing this change and stopping the sharing of accounts.

Many have used the hashtag #GoodbyeNetflix to express their annoyance at an additional charge.

I have defended Netflix’s way of working since I subscribed, but the change in strategy regarding shared accounts has no possible defense. It is a scam and a lack of respect for clients, that we see that their productions are increasingly mediocre???? pic.twitter.com/JGvSmgr4mO

— ? The Quibbly ?? (@LaQuisquillossa) February 8, 2023

A premium account already had the concept of being able to share it with up to 4 users regardless of residence. I understand that, when the accounts do not balance, it is difficult to find a way to alleviate the losses, but bleeding users is not the solution and you will soon back down.

— The Bit Analyst (@analistadebits) February 8, 2023

I subscribed to Netflix when my sister lived in Ireland so she would have things to watch there (they weren’t in Spain yet). Today that would be impossible if it is not opening the wallet more.

We will have to say goodbye to Netflix. It was nice while it lasted. https://t.co/PGIBy3hyCO

—Daniel | ElTabernero (@ElTabernero) February 8, 2023

Goodbye Netflix for me, I only go to my house every 2 months. I can’t connect to my home Wi-Fi every month.
And I do not share with anyone.

— Carlos (@GenioAtrapao) February 1, 2023

But Netflix has stressed that each account is “designed for one household” and gives subscribers options for various plans to fit their needs.

— With information from ‘s Clare Duffy and en Español’s Uriel Blanco.