Recently, Netflix’s FAQ page was updated with some information regarding its new password-sharing measures. These measures intend to crack down on users sharing passwords outside of their own households.

According to Forbes, Netflix posted guidelines about how this would work on Feb. 1, but this page was later taken down. These guidelines caused a panic among users that perhaps, their password sharing friends or relatives might be kicked off soon. Recently, my personal TikTok feed has been packed with panicked college students, dreading the fact that they might have to either pay for their own Netflix, or sacrifice watching content that they enjoy.

The guidelines which were formerly released seem to indicate that users need to watch Netflix from their home address. If traveling on vacation, users could request a log-in code that is valid for seven days. However, these guidelines have since been removed, so it is hard to be sure of what the actual policy will be. Though these password-sharing measures are still extremely unclear in the United States, some have been tested in Latin America.

While Netflix presumably intends to gain subscribers through this economic move, I very much foresee this having the opposite effect. Many people enjoy using Netflix so that they can share the platform with friends and family.

While I understand that Netflix may not want friends in various households sharing passwords, what I do not understand is their thought process as far as family members go. College students typically do not spend most of their time at their home and legal address. So though they are legal residents of their household, Netflix might identify them as password-sharers if these new guidelines are rolled out.

College students are unlikely to have the additional money to pay for their own Netflix accounts and I do not find it unethical, as a college student, to use my parents’ Netflix. To get technical, I am a legal resident of that household, and am still at least somewhat dependent on my parents’ support. This should be perfectly fine and I will not be paying for my own Netflix subscription just to watch a few specific shows from time to time.

I believe that Netflix is going to reverse these changes. I think time and research will tell that this decision will lead to a mass exodus of subscribers and a net decrease in profits. The outrage that the Internet has poured out over the past few weeks alone should be enough for company executives to seriously question the decision.

I have always been impressed with Netflix’s resilience to change. When DVDs stopped being relevant, they designed a streaming service. When some of their content was lost to new streaming services, they pourewd their resources into creating quality original content. They have managed to stay afloat while competitors try and take them down, but this is a clear misstep that if left unaddressed, could be the downfall of the company.

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