Password sharing on streaming sites like Netflix, Amazon and Disney Plus may be illegal, a UK Government body has warned.
The popular practice of sharing passwords to streaming services violates copyright law if the log-in is swapped between those who do not live together, the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) said this week.
It comes amid plans by Netflix to crack down on password sharing in the new year. It will be the first time the streaming giant will attempt to put a stop to the issue as the firm estimates 100 million viewers worldwide are borrowing other people's accounts.
The crackdown comes amid an increasing decline in subscribers, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal.
Starting in 2023, Netflix will be clamping down on password sharing by asking those sharing accounts to pay up. The rollout is expected to begin in the US next year.
The service introduced a cheaper plan with adverts in the UK last month in another move to pump up subscriber numbers.
When it comes to passport sharing across all streaming websites, IPO has removed a reference to the practice in its guidance on the Government website.
However, IPO confirmed the department's position on Tuesday that the practice breaks copyright law as a criminal and civil offence.
Indeed, streaming giants have the right to take legal action over the issue, although no services in the UK have indicated they would do so.
It said: "There are a range of provisions in criminal and civil law which may be applicable in the case of password sharing where the intent is to allow a user to access copyright-protected works without payment."
"These provisions may include breach of contractual terms, fraud or secondary copyright infringement, depending on the circumstances. Where these provisions are provided in civil law, it would be up to the service provider to take action through the courts if required."
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