Hardly introduced, the new Netflix rule already shows some exceptions. This Tuesday, the streaming platform announced its intention to expand its account sharing restrictions. In France, subscribers can no longer give their access to a person outside their home. Under penalty of paying an additional 5.99 euros.
If the decision was quickly criticized on social media, Netflix tells Tech&Co that exceptions will be possible in certain specific cases. To check if the use of an account is limited to the same home, the company plans to scan the connections of devices to Wi-Fi in a home.
On Twitter, internet users with children in joint custody or with a job that involved regular travel shared their fears.
Two networks associated with a single home
This May 24, the platform specifies to Tech&Co that if the application detects two frequently used Wi-Fi networks, they can be associated with the same home. And this, as long as they do not share the same IP address: the device identifier (smartphones, computers, tablets) that allows Netflix to locate and verify connections to an account.
Thus, a child in alternative custody will not be required to be considered as an “additional subscriber” when moving from one parental residence to another: the application will detect that it regularly connects to two Wi-Fi, and will agree to consider these two. networks are linked to the main focus, Netflix promises.
Similarly, Netflix will allow those who have a second home to take advantage of its service at no additional cost (unlike what was tested last summer).
On the other hand, a maximum time is foreseen before a mobile device (smartphone, tablet or PC) is forced to reconnect to the Wi-Fi network (or one of the two Wi-Fi networks) associated with the home. main to continue accessing the service. At first, Netflix mentioned the 31-day duration, before declining to communicate on the subject.
If in most cases travel is not a problem, long-term absences will be penalized. In case of displacement of more than a month, access could be cut off.
Source: BFM TV
