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Using VPN to access Netflix? Those days are numbered

By Wong Chung Wee - on 17 Jan 2016, 6:49pm

Netflix wants to block users who are circumventing its geographical content restrictions

(Image source: Netflix)

Netflix is dead serious about restricting users who use proxies to bypass the company’s geographical content restrictions.

As we all know, Netflix is now available in over 190 countries; however, the content available to its subscribers will differ from one country to another. Therefore, most tech-savvy users have used proxies or VPN services to circumvent the geographical content restrictions that the company has put in place.

The main reason for region-locking its streaming library content boils down to content licensing. In a blog post, VP of Content Delivery Architecture, David Fullagar said they have to "respect and enforce content licensing by geographical location." In the coming weeks, Netflix will enforce its geographical restrictions and subscribers, who are using proxies and VPN services, can only access the Netflix service for their country.

This may spell trouble for services like Break Portal. This is a local start-up that provides proxy services for users to access web services that have put in place geo-blocks. In the long run, Netflix aims to work towards the goal of offering a homogeneous library content, regardless of its subscribers’ geographical location. However, we do know that this utopian vision is quite impossible as each country’s economic, political and socio-cultural landscape will throw up many challenges.

On a bright note, if you are in Singapore and keen to watch Netflix for free, do check out its tie-up with Singtel here.

(Source: Netflix via The Verge, Singtel)

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