Netflix has begun a crackdown on password sharing in Ireland, by sending e-mails to subscribers who are sharing outside of their household.
The e-mail reminds subscribers that an account is only for use by the account holder and people within their household.
"You can easily watch Netflix on the go and when you travel - either on your personal devices or a TV at a hotel or holiday home," it said.
It suggests anyone on an account outside of a household should "transfer a profile to a new membership that they pay for."
A sample of Netflix's email to Irish customers. Picture by: NetflixThe company has said those who wish to continue sharing their account can 'buy an extra member' for €4.99 a month.
In a statement, the streaming platform said: "Everyone living in that household can use Netflix wherever they are - at home, on the go, on holiday - and take advantage of new features like Transfer Profile and Manage Access and Devices.
"We recognise that our members have many entertainment choices.
"It’s why we continue to invest heavily in a wide variety of new films and TV programmes".
Newstalk Tech Correspondent Jess Kelly told Moncrieff a trial in other countries has not proved very successful.
"They did it in Spain and it's reported that one million people in Spain cancelled their Netflix accounts as a result," she said.
"I don't know if we'll see something similar.
"They're now rolling it out into 100 other countries - Ireland is one of them".
A TV remote with a dedicated Netflix button. Picture by: Allard Schager / Alamy Stock PhotoJess said the idea of transferring a profile has some fine print.
"If you are one of the many customers who get Netflix bundled in with a TV package - with Sky or Virgin - you can't transfer the profile," she said
"So in that instance, if I get it through my Sky account, you unfortunately are going to have to pay the full whack of €8.99 to get your own Netflix account".
Jess said this is all tracked through a person's IP address.
"There'll be a primary address associated with your account - most times it's your billing address.
"They can identify through the IP address when you log on to a device.
"So whether you're on your telly or your phone or your tablet, they'll be able to see the location of that IP address and see if they match up".
'Why does Netflix care?'
Jess said it is unclear what happens for families with younger children.
"Say if you have your family Netflix account, and you primarily have it because your kids are at a childminder in the afternoon.
"How will that work? Will you have to pay the €4.99... or can you add a secondary primary location?
"From what I've seen, you can't".
Jess said this seems unfair to those who are on the most expensive account.
"What's frustrating is the top-tier account, the premium account, is €20.99 a month," she said.
"That allows four people to watch different content on four different screens at the one time.
"If you're paying that extra price to have access for four different screens, why does Netflix care?"
