Netflix Cracks Down On VPN, Proxy And Unblocker Use, Promising More Global Content Availability

Netflix is finally cracking down on VPN, proxy and unblocker users, requiring they disable the location masking services to view content on the site. Netflix has been somewhat slow in putting the restrictions into place, drawing the ire of companies like Sony.

While some users have location masking services like VPNs in place for privacy and security reasons, the most common reason Netflix subscribers are using them is for access to content. Netflix is aware of the problem with global access and is actively working to bring more content to more users around the world.

“If all of our content were globally available, there wouldn’t be a reason for members to use proxies or unblockers to fool our systems into thinking they’re in a different country than they’re actually in,” wrote Netflix representative David Fullgar in a blog post on the company’s evolving proxy detection system.

Netflix announced the addition of 130 new countries to its world service map at CES 2016, including places like Russia, Saudi Arabia and South Korea. Additionally, the company added Korean, Chinese and Arabic to its supported languages.

“We are making progress in licensing content across the world and, as of last week, now offer the Netflix service in 190 countries, but we have a ways to go before we can offer people the same films and TV series everywhere,” Fullgar wrote.

But until Netflix can make its content available globally, there will still be users attempting to trick the website into believing they live somewhere they don’t by using VPNs and proxies. To appease content partners, Netflix is cracking down on the use of these tools. Netflix customers who try to view content from the wrong country will first be given an error message that instructs them to turn off their proxy or unblocker service. According to the Netflix terms of use, the company may even consider cancelling a customer’s account if they violate the geographic viewing restrictions or any other rules found out in those terms.

While many Netflix subscribers will be unphased by the crackdown, nonetheless, some find the company’s decision frustrating.

Meanwhile, others believe the move could promote greater instances of piracy worldwide.

What are your thoughts on the Netflix VPN crackdown? Share your thoughts in the comments below.