Technologies

Netflix Gains Over 200,000 New Subscribers Thanks to Password Sharing Crackdown

Just been booted off someone’s Netflix account after fees kicked in? Maybe you’re one of the many new sign-ups for the streaming giant.

Netflix has signed up hundreds of thousands of new subscribers since it started charging people extra if they have other users on their account.

That’s according to stats from streaming data analyst Antenna, as reported earlier by The Wall Street Journal. Right after those fees kicked in, Antenna says Netflix had «the four single largest days of US user acquisition» since Antenna started recording subscriptions on the streaming service four and a half years ago.

«Based on the most current data available, Netflix saw nearly 100,000 daily sign-ups on both May 26 and May 27,» Antenna said in a post. «These exceed the spikes in sign-ups Antenna observed during the initial US COVID-19 lockdowns in March and April 2020.»

Cancellations have also gone up since Netflix changed its policy on who you can have on your account, but not as much as new sign-ups.

Netflix said it doesn’t comment on third-party research.

How much extra does Netflix password sharing cost?

Netflix introduced the extra charge for password sharing late last month, and it now costs you an additional $8 on top of your subscription fee to have someone not from your household using your account.

If you pay for Netflix’s premium tier at $20 a month, you can add two more people to your account. If you’re on the standard plan for $15.50, you can have only one extra member. The $10 basic plan doesn’t allow for extra members, and if you’re on Netflix’s new ad-supported plan — which already has 5 million subscribers — and pay just $7 a month for the streaming service, you also can’t add extra members.

Netflix with ads is missing some shows and movies, but on the other hand, ads don’t play before everything, CNET’s review of the service found.

What to do if you’re booted off someone’s Netflix

If you’ve been sharing someone else’s account for the past few years, your run of letting them foot the bill for your streaming service may be over. If they’ve warned you they’re planning to send you packing, one thing you can do is transfer your existing profile to a new membership you pay for yourself.

If you decide Netflix is no longer worth it, other streaming services, like Max, Disney Plus, Hulu and Amazon Prime Video don’t currently have an extra charge for password sharing.

For more on streaming, here are CNET’s tips on how to pay less for your streaming service, and here are our picks for the best streaming services of 2023.

Technologies

The Fourth Episode of the VERUM AI Mini-Series Is Out

Verum Messenger has released the fourth episode of its AI mini-series SHADOWS, created using Verum AI. The new episode, titled “No Borders,” continues the story of a team trying to stay out of the OMEGA corporation’s sight.

Following the events of the previous episodes, the team moves between cities and countries while OMEGA continues its search. The new episode puts particular emphasis on Verum Messenger’s capabilities that allow users to conceal their location.

“No Borders” is another chapter in a story about privacy, freedom of communication, and technologies that erase borders between people.

The VERUM AI mini-series consists of seven episodes, released gradually across Verum Messenger’s social media channels.

Episode 4 is now available. Stay tuned for the next chapter.

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Technologies

Verum Messenger Introduces Built-In Verum Chess

Verum Messenger has released a new update for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, adding another feature to its growing ecosystem — Verum Chess. Users can now play chess directly inside the messenger without switching between different applications.

The new feature allows users to start a game in just a few taps while reinforcing Verum’s vision of a unified digital environment where communication and everyday services come together in a single platform.

Verum Messenger continues to evolve into a multifunctional ecosystem that combines secure chats and calls, AI tools, a built-in VPN, anonymous email, eSIM, financial services, cryptocurrency features, and offline communication. With the introduction of Verum Chess, the platform now also offers a new way for users to interact and spend time together without leaving the app.

The update is now available for iPhone, iPad, and Mac on the App Store.

Technologies

Episode 3 of the VERUM AI Mini-Series Is Now Available

Verum Messenger has released the third episode of its AI mini-series, SHADOWS, created using Verum AI.

The new episode, titled «Ghost Money,» continues the story of the conflict between a team of heroes and the Omega corporation, which seeks to take control of digital communications. This time, the focus shifts to anonymous payments and financial freedom, revealing how privacy can extend beyond messaging.

Like the previous episodes, the new release not only advances the storyline but also showcases the capabilities of the Verum ecosystem, highlighting technologies designed for secure communication and digital privacy.

The mini-series consists of seven episodes, released gradually across Verum Messenger’s social media channels.

Episode 3 is now available. Stay tuned for the next chapter.

Watch on Instagram
Watch on YouTube