Netflix is Watching you

When you Netflix and chill, Netflix is also watching you (spoiler alert).

Netflix, serving 180 Million subscribers around the world and dishing out more than 150 Million hours of TV shows and movies per days, has now become one of the most popular, love and additive services of all time. However, like all other apps and social media facility we discuss with you with Free*, Netflix is no exception in terms of how they collect and retain the data of their users. And like all other apps, this helps Netflix to provide you with a better service. It helps them to suggest what you can watch next and keep binging. So press play to find out the data they collect from you and the impact it has on you.

When you register for a Netflix account you have to provide the basic information such as your Name, Email, Address or Postal Code, Payment method(s) and Phone Number. Furthermore, details such as your content ratings, taste preferences and account settings are also linked to your data profile. There are also other data that will automatically be collected when you interact with the app (scrolling, scrolling…. vola!)  and binge on. These will include movies or TV series-es you select (or pass over), which you have watched previously or are currently watching, along with the following details.

• Search Terms 
• Device IDs
• Ad IDs and 
• Details of other “Netflix Capable” devices on your Wi-Fi network

Netflix is available on a number of different devices from Smartphones to Smart TVs (to almost anything that has a screen), and can be accessed at any time, and also includes the Voice Assistance facility. . (Hey Siri, you know what to do). Subsequently, search queries that you make through such platforms will also be collected and linked to your other data, and will be accessible to Netflix.

You might also know that most of your mobile service providers allow you to add Netflix Subscription to your monthly mobile bill. We definitely see this as an advantage, but did you know that details relating to this translation will be collected by Netflix in the process? In terms of data sharing, when you use features such as Add to bill and Voice Assistant Service, some data may be shared with these service providers.

Your location will be determined using your IP address to customize the service and suggest new content. Furthermore, Netflix also gathers data from firms known as Data Brokers who provide them with a variety of data along with your social media data that are publicly available.  (They can technically binge on your data profile). 

And that’s a decent wrap up of the information Netflix collects from you, as one of their users. However, all this information will be used by Netflix to provide and maintain better service, personalize content, and provide security for the service.

So, what can you do in terms of Privacy Protection?

Yes, you can Request Access to your personal data, delete them or download a copy of the same. You can even delete your account if you wish to. However, your watch History does not get deleted even if you delete your account. 
The statement also does not mention for how long the information will be retained even if you do or do not delete the account as well as for being inactive for a long time. (Genre → Mystery)

Written by: Rtr. Ashen Hirantha

Edited by: Rtr. Kalani Siriwardena