Netflix to block proxy access to content not available locally

In the coming weeks, the firm says, the changes will see members only able to access content available in their own countries, regardless of the numerous workarounds available.

In short: if you use a VPN or proxy with Netflix at the moment, you might want to speed up your binge-watching attempts of your favourite shows.

At CES 2016 Netflix announced a massive global expansion to an additional 130 countries, however, content varies by country due to licensing deals with content creators, which is why users rely on VPN to access Netflix for another territory to get the most amount of content. The ban on these services will become active in the coming weeks, and according to the streaming service should have no effect on users that don’t use proxies.

Users have also used VPNs to access movies that Netflix shows in Australia, for example, but doesn’t have the rights to show within the United States.

Netflix users will soon be unable to use proxies or unblockers to access content that’s now unavailable in their country. Netflix is now available in 190 countries, but the service has a long way to go before it offers the same films and TV series everywhere. “For now, given the historic practice of licensing content by geographic territories, the TV shows and movies we offer differ, to varying degrees, by territory”.

“Over time, we anticipate being able to do so”, he wrote. “That’s the goal we will keep pushing towards”.

Netflix has declared war on unblockers and proxies, company representatives announcing that they would adopt a much tougher stance against users trying to view videos outside their country.

It’s not all bad news for Netflix fans. Those studios are likely less inclined to license their content to Netflix if the company can not ensure that geographic restrictions will be enforced.