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Netflix’s Crackdown on Password Sharing Sparks Concerns among UAE Subscribers

by Swati Gupta

July 24, 2023 14

The recent crackdown on password sharing by streaming giant Netflix has left many UAE subscribers contemplating their options and reconsidering their streaming preferences. The move, which aims to restrict account access to people living within the same household, has raised questions about the platform’s family-friendliness and content diversity.

For South African expat Sarah Tiry, who currently shares a Netflix account with her sisters in Cape Town, the impending password-sharing ban has prompted concerns about subscription costs. While Sarah enjoys using the platform, she doesn’t feel the need to subscribe for herself, as she doesn’t use it frequently enough to warrant a separate account. However, she also feels that Netflix should consider introducing a family-sharing option to accommodate users like her.

Moreover, Sarah’s hesitance is amplified by the lack of diverse and suitable content for her preteen son on Netflix. She finds that her son prefers YouTube and Disney+ for more appealing shows. As a result, Sarah and her husband are contemplating switching to Disney+ for their family’s streaming needs.

Similarly, Dubai resident Areeb Siddiqui, the primary account holder for his family’s Netflix subscription, is adopting a wait-and-watch approach. With frequent work-related travel and family members residing in different locations, Areeb is uncertain about how the new rules will impact their account access. He worries that restrictions based on IP addresses might prevent family members from using the account when he is away or when they are in other countries.

Considering the potential limitations and restrictions, Areeb is contemplating downgrading their Netflix account from Premium to Basic. The Premium account allows multiple users on different devices, but with the new rules, the benefits of such an account might be outweighed by its limitations.

Netflix’s ability to detect password sharing by monitoring WiFi networks and IP addresses has been a topic of concern for many subscribers. While the crackdown on password sharing aims to ensure fairness and adherence to the platform’s policies, it also raises questions about how it might affect the convenience and usability of shared accounts for families and individuals living in different locations.

As Netflix’s new password-sharing restrictions take effect in the UAE, subscribers like Sarah and Areeb are reevaluating their streaming choices and considering alternative platforms like Disney+. The lack of a family-sharing option on Netflix and the limited content for specific age groups are driving users to explore other streaming services that better suit their needs.

For now, UAE Netflix users remain cautious as they navigate the changes, hoping that streaming platforms will consider more flexible options for families and individuals who share accounts across different households and locations. As the streaming landscape evolves, subscribers are eager to find solutions that strike the right balance between convenience, content variety, and affordability.