Netflix May Cancel Your Membership if You’re Doing This

In an unusual move for a company, Netflix has decided to cancel memberships of its users who are inactive.

According to a CNBC report, the streaming company said it would be asking customers who have not used the platform in the past year if they want to continue their subscription. If a customer does not response, the subscription will be automatically canceled.

“We’re asking everyone who has not watched anything on Netflix for a year since they joined to confirm they want to keep their membership. And we’ll do the same for anyone who has stopped watching for more than two years,” stated Eddy Wu, director of product innovation.

“You know that sinking feeling when you realize you signed up for something but haven’t used it in ages?” Wu asked. “At Netflix, the last thing we want is people paying for something they’re not using.”

Inactive customers will start seeing the feature roll out via in-app notifications or emails this week.
Netflix will be reaching out to everyone who has not watched “anything on Netflix for a year since they joined,” Wu said. The company will do the same for anyone who has stopped watching for more than two years.

“We’ve always thought it should be easy to sign up and to cancel. So, as always, anyone who cancels their account and then rejoins within 10 months will still have their favorites, profiles, viewing preferences and account details just as they left them,” Wu said. “In the meantime, we hope this new approach saves people some hard-earned cash.”

According to the streaming giant, inactive accounts represent less than a half of one percent of its overall member base and are already factored into its financial guidance. Netflix had reported 183 million subscribers at the end of the first quarter.

Disclaimer: We have no position in Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) and have not been compensated for this article.