Netflix cracks down on proxy streaming

Netflix has said subscribers to its video-streaming service will no longer be able to use proxies to watch content not available in the users’ home countries.

It was not unheard of previously, when many individuals from various countries that did not yet have access to Netflix would resort to using VPN, proxies and various other unblocking services that make their locations and sneak their way into enjoying Netflix’s wide array of media.

Fullagar said that while Netflix is working diligently to secure global licensing rights for all of its content, “we have a ways to go before we can offer people the same films and TV series everywhere”.

‘You may view a movie or TV show through the Netflix service primarily within the country in which you have established your account and only in geographic locations where we offer our service and have licensed such movie or TV show. “We are confident that this change won’t affect members not using proxies”, he added. In fact, within 24 hours of the Netflix global launch, my inbox filled up quickly with press releases promoting VPN solutions that would enable subscribers to (legally, they claimed) access all Netflix content.

For example, the Australian version of Netflix reportedly only has 10 per cent of the content that the USA version has. They’re the ones with the power to cut off access to the kinds of shows that make Netflix desirable, after all.

QUICK, BINGE WATCH whatever crap you are enduring on Netflix, because the streaming service has announced plans to block unofficial overseas access. The bad news is that not all the content in their library is available for all those countries due to some licensing and geographical issues. “That’s the goal we will keep pushing towards”, Fullagar wrote.

Sony and other content owners have been angry at Netflix for not cracking down hard enough on customers who evade geographic licensing restrictions. On the other hand, I just hope that services like this will not push Netflix to ban the VPN/proxy users just like Hulu and others did.

This is done largely to access shows and movies that are not available in the residing country, but also by customers who are overseas and don’t want to miss out on their daily Netflix binge. In an announcement yesterday, January 14, Netflix revealed that the technology used to recognize the use of those proxies is evolving, and the company is evolving at the same time.