People watch Netflix while walking, apparently, and the company wants their data

Netflix and... stroll?
 By 
Marcus Gilmer
 on 
People watch Netflix while walking, apparently, and the company wants their data
Do you stream Netflix while walking around? How?? Credit: Jaap Arriens / NurPhoto via Getty Images

Here's to "Netflix and Stroll" becoming the new "Netflix & Chill."

It seems there's enough of a niche audience that watches Netflix while they're walking about that the streaming service is collecting data to test giving customers on the move better quality video.

Security tweeter Beto on Security noted the odd request from Netflix to access physical activity data from their Android phone last week (via The Next Web) .

A Netflix spokesperson confirmed to Mashable it was tinkering with how to give people better video playback when they're physically moving, saying:

We are continually testing ways to give our members a better experience. This was part of a test to see how we can improve video playback quality when a member is on the go. Only some accounts are in the test, and we don’t currently have plans to roll it out.

We've reached out to Netflix with some additional questions about the tests, including what they mean by "on the go."

Plenty of folks watch Netflix on portable devices while on a treadmill or stationary bike, but "on the go" also makes it sound like there's a subset of people who binge Stranger Things or Black Mirror while they're getting in some power walking at the mall or taking the dog around the block.

Who are these people? How do you walk and stream at the same time?

We may never know as Netflix claims it has no plans to roll the feature out widely— but that doesn't mean it'll never do it. Just don't stream while you ride your bike or cross the street.

Topics Netflix

Mashable Image
Marcus Gilmer

Marcus Gilmer is Mashable's Assistant Real-Times News Editor on the West Coast, reporting on breaking news from his location in San Francisco. An Alabama native, Marcus earned his BA from Birmingham-Southern College and his MFA in Communications from the University of New Orleans. Marcus has previously worked for Chicagoist, The A.V. Club, the Chicago Sun-Times and the San Francisco Chronicle.

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You
Your Netflix app is going to change as the company competes with Instagram for your attention
netflix logo on an app on a phone screen

Netflix wins 'KPop Demon Hunters' domain name after failing to register it
Netflix logo

Meta to fund natural gas plants to power its largest data center
By Jack Dawes
Futuristic data center - stock photo

Panera Bread breach: ShinyHunters claims hack of 14 million customers' data
Panera Bread logo on storefront

FTC doesn't fine OkCupid for sharing millions of users' personal data
okcupid logo on phone

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone

What's new to streaming this week? (April 3, 2026)
A composite of images from film and TV streaming this week.

NYT Strands hints, answers for April 3, 2026
A game being played on a smartphone.

The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!