Why do you need a Plex account to run a local Plex server?

[JonRB]

I'm running FreeNAS on an HP Microserver and there is a Plex server plugin available for it, and also a Plex client available for my Amazon Fire TV box. So it seemed like a good idea to set it all up.

One thing though, the Plex server install is insisting that I create a Plex account on their website and log in with it before I can continue.

Anyone know why this is?

[JonRB]

I see.

Hmmm. I had wanted to keep this within my own LAN only which was why I was wary of a mandated login, as it implied exactly what you're saying - access from outside of my LAN.