Netflix struggles to keep users safe

Netflix said customers must pay an additional 4.99 per month, or $7.99 in the US, if they want to share their account outside their homes.

In certain countries where it has already been trialled, some are baulking at the expense.

Netflix had previously estimated that more than 100 million households share passwords, despite this being against its official rules.

With their own offerings, heavyweights such as Amazon and Disney have weighed in with their own services, and Netflix has a variety of rivals.

Many of the entertainment giants have been under pressure from the soaring rate of general price increases, leading to a battle for customers.

Netflix is trying to convince users with a less expensive streaming option with ads, and to cut costs in 116 countries in the three months to March.