The popular platform Netflix has decided to completely change its modus operandi, causing a stir among its customers and users. Since February 21, subscribers have been forced to set a primary location to continue accessing content on the platform. The objective is that those who used the service without paying for it (sharing accounts of other clients, relatives, friends or acquaintances) register with their own account. However, there are many loopholes in this new system.
The company has created this option with a view to exercising greater control of its customers, checking the locations from which the same account is used. Although the situation was alarming at first, many have been able to verify that the Netflix location system does not work correctly due to lack of precision. This failure could be the cause of the current uncertain situation, since today, two days after the deadline to implement the changes, many people continue to use Netflix as before. That is, sharing account and without paying.
technical failures
Why can I still share Netflix?
Several Twitter users have referred to this problem, revealing that something is wrong.
GIVEN RUVIC / Reuters
The Netflix rule has been clear: any user who makes use of additional locations will have to pay 5.99 euros for each one of them. At first, users had until February 21 -inclusive- to carry out the corresponding configurations, although a good part of the subscribers have skipped this step and continue to enjoy Netflix without any problem. In these cases, the platform itself has automatically located them. But apparently, this system works terrible.
One of the possible reasons lies in the accuracy of the platform when it comes to locating its customers, which leaves something to be desired. Several Twitter users have referred to this problem in a sarcastic tone, revealing that something is wrong. Clients from Barcelona are located in Pontevedra. To others, not even in Spain. Faced with these errors, the affected users have raised a question: How is Netflix going to be able to detect if a customer shares their subscription, when they cannot even locate an address precisely?
The issue appears to be due to technical issues, as IPs can only be accurately geolocated at the country level. According to various specialized media, third-party companies that have made geolocation of IP addresses their business must be taken into account. The data provided by these companies is an estimate calculated from various sources, which means that the information provided by these services is merely indicative.
Steps to set your primary location
At first, the platform itself announced on its website that the main location of a user can only be established through a television. To do this, you will have to locate the ‘Get help’ section in the left area of the interface. Once inside, enter ‘Manage main location’, where you will get this message if your television has already been configured: ‘This television is already in your main location. If you’re trying to sign in to this account with another device, make sure it’s connected to the same Wi-Fi as this TV. You may have to restart the app to connect.”
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In the event that your television is in a location other than the main one, the streaming platform will allow you to change it through two types of verification: email or SMS. As we have been able to verify, it is possible that Netflix shows you a location hundreds of kilometers from yours, for which there is no solution. Also, users can continue to access the catalog without performing these steps.
Although many believe that the new Netflix plan could remain a simple notice, the platform affirms that if they do not establish a main location in our account, they will do it themselves. The company will use the data from our devices to assign an address, something that can be modified by following the steps mentioned above.
new policy
Netflix’s plan against the use of shared accounts
Each extra member will cost 5.99 euros to the subscription.
NETFLX / EP
2023 is the year of the end of shared accounts. From now on, streaming platform customers will have to take into account the latest conditions: households with a Standard (12.99) or Premium (17.99) account will be able to add one or two extra members respectively, for the they must pay 5.99 euros per month. In this case, each user will have their own personalized profile, with their own username and password, although the subscription will be paid for by the person who invited them to share their Netflix account.
Each extra subscriber will cost 5.99 euros, so the final price of a Standard account would be 18.99 euros if we decide to add a person from outside the home. Regarding the highest price that can be paid, it would be around 29.97 euros per month if we have a Premium account with two extra subscribers.
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There are options for all budgets, such as the basic plan with ads for 5.49 euros per month; however, it has a much more limited catalogue. As for the Basic plan of 7.99 euros per month, it does not allow adding any sub-account with which the main user does not live.
180º turn
Loss of subscribers and lack of benefits, the main problems of the platform
Netflix’s founders intend to adjust the cost structure to accommodate the current growth rate.
DPA via Europa Press / EP
The latest changes in the company have left more than one user speechless, although for many it was seen coming. Last year, the company began to show some stagnation, causing its founders, Reed Hastings and Ted Sarandos, to propose “adjusting its cost structure” with the aim of adapting it to its “current growth rate”.
After laying off three hundred employees, Netflix added advertising to the platform, and currently has chosen to go a step further: “There are more than 100 million households that share their accounts, which reduces our ability to invest in creating great stories with the highest quality”, says the company itself.
