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Sharing a streaming account: is that allowed?

Sharing the Netflix, Spotify or Disney account with friends to save money? That is widespread, but not necessarily allowed. Whether you may pass on your password depends above all on the provider's terms of use.

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In their terms and conditions, many streaming providers only allow use within one household and prohibit sharing the account with people outside it. Anyone who violates this breaches the contract; the provider may then restrict the use, block the account or terminate it.
For private users this is as a rule not a criminal offense but a civil-law breach of the terms and conditions. Providers increasingly enforce the household rule technically (for example location or device checks) and offer paid additional profiles.

What you should do now

  1. 1

    1. Check the terms and conditions

    Look into the terms of use: is sharing outside the household allowed?

  2. 2

    2. Assess the risk

    In case of a violation, restriction, blocking or termination of the account threatens.

  3. 3

    3. Legal options

    Use official family or additional profiles or cheaper plans instead of passing on the password.

  4. 4

    4. Protect your data

    In any case, only pass on access data to people you truly trust.

Frequently asked questions

May I share my streaming account with friends?

That depends on the provider's terms and conditions. Many streaming services restrict use to one household and prohibit sharing with outsiders. If you violate this, it is a breach of contract: the provider may restrict the use, block the account or terminate it. For private users, however, it is as a rule not a criminal offense.

What can happen if I pass on my password?

The provider can enforce the household rule technically and, in case of a violation, offer additional devices or profiles for a charge, block the sharing or, in case of repetition, terminate the account. Criminal consequences as a rule do not threaten private users. Official family or additional options are safer and often cheaper.

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We put together the ready-made texts and the right places to contact for you.

General information for self-help, not legal advice (RDG). In case of a high loss or uncertainty: contact a consumer advice center or a lawyer.