Why Netflix is cracking down on VPNs After its international launch, Netflix is turning the screws on customers using virtual private networks and geo-blockers to sign up for US Netflix accounts. The crackdown appears to be affecting a range of VPN services, as well as people using DNS-based workarounds like Getflix and Unblock-US, but the results are very hit and miss. It's not a total lockout, as Netflix is experimenting with different blocking techniques which impact on different people. The country in which your account is based might be a factor. So I finally got a dreaded message from Netflix telling me I'm using VPN/Proxy etc. Any way around this?— Josh (@Isildrae) • SHARE • • • Link Despite Netflix's latest crackdown, it's not too hard for Australians to mask their location and sneak into the US library.

When it comes to the use of the 'unblocking' software which allows people to view TV shows and films not licensed for their country. On Thursday the streaming service announced they are set to crack down on proxies to force customers to only watch the shows meant for their viewing region. Netflix laptop. Earlier this year, streaming giant Netflix made an unpopular announcement: it was going to crack down on VPN and DNS services to stop users circumventing its geographic blocks. It appears that this is now very much coming into effect. Over the last few hours, users across Europe have reported that they.

As with previous crackdowns, the geo-dodging services are quickly deploying countermeasures. Netflix seems to be primarily targeting services which market themselves especially as options for sneaking into the US library. Free services also appear more prone to blocking than paid services, but your mileage may vary. I've tested two VPN services and one DNS workaround over the weekend which all continue to access the US Netflix library on a range of devices – despite complaints from other users. These services do seem to be taking longer to connect, perhaps a side effect of the new geo-blocking countermeasures. Netflix knows it can never win the geo-blocking war, its aim is to make things difficult enough that your average person decides that it's too hard and throws in the towel, sticking with their local Netflix library.

Hey if doesn't work anymore can I get a refund for the remaining months on my annual subscription?— Benjamin (@humphreybc) People like to criticise Netflix for not making its entire library available globally, but a decision like that needs to come from the content owners. Netflix is actually one of the champions of global rights deals with its Netflix Originals content like Daredevil, but other content providers aren't so keen because they'd rather stick with regional rights deals in order to milk us dry. If you want to weather out Netflix's latest crackdown then it pays to have a few geo-dodging options at your disposal so you can jump between them. Most services have a free trial so you can dip your toe in the water. If you run into trouble, many VPN providers offer servers in multiple US cities.

It's worth switching between them to see if you strike it lucky. Some DNS-based services also offer multiple Australian IP addresses, so it's worth experimenting with the different options to see what works best. As I said in January, long-time Netflix users have survived many so-called crackdowns and know it will blow over with geo-dodging services winning out in the end. Are you ready to throw in the towel or have you beaten the Netflix blockade?

Yes, the Netflix crackdown on cross-border watching is real. Customers worldwide have grown accustomed to sneaking over virtual walls to stream shows and movies restricted to other countries. Now, Netflix is stopping some virtual travellers at the border, finally enforcing its age-old that says viewers aren't allowed to access Netflix in other regions. Meanwhile, unblocking companies that help virtual travellers defy the rules are fighting back. And some are already declaring victory in the battle to keep Netflix's borders wide open. • • Netflix access denied Numerous customers with the unblocking company Unblock-Us started reporting technical problems soon after Netflix on Jan. 14. Cast member Jamie McShane arrives for the Netflix original series premiere of Bloodline at the SVA Theatre in New York in March.

(Brendan McDermid/Reuters) For a fee, unblocking services do the technical legwork to help customers hide their location so they can hop borders. For example, the service would help a Netflix Canada customer watch Sons of Anarchy on Netflix U.S. The Canadian version doesn't carry the show. 'Help,' wrote one border hopping customer on the on Jan. 27, explaining that he lives in Toronto and can no longer stream content on Netflix UK. Another customer posted, 'I live in Norway and am currently using your service to watch American Netflix, but now it doesn't work anymore.' 'Netflix blocked in Australia,' reported someone else. Real Draw Pro 5 Keygen.

Barbados-based Unblock-Us did not respond to CBC News's request for comment. But a updated on Feb. 3 declared, 'We have a solution.' It said blocked customers need to contact the support team, which would 'have some simple steps for you to follow' to resume service. Another unblocker fights back The Australian unblocking service uFlix is also claiming success in the Netflix border wars. On Jan. 20, uFlix revealed in a that Australian customers were having problems.

'Some users are starting to have issues with Netflix blocking non-Australian content,' stated the company. It added, 'We are working on a solution.' On Feb. 5 uFlix: 'Workaround Found - ETA: 6 hours.' The tweet was soon followed by a on its website titled 'Fixed.'

The company declared, 'Our USA region is back online after being blocked,' presumably referring to Netflix U.S., which contains a vast content library attractive to many border hoppers. UFlix did not respond to CBC's request for comment.

Panama-based unblocking service NordVPN told CBC News that it had 'a few cases' where customers' Netflix access was compromised. 'But our tech support managed to find an alternative solution,' stated company spokeswoman Jodi Myers. She added that NordVPN has 'a number of workaround options planned' if the Netflix crackdown becomes more widespread. • Legitimate VPN access denied Netflix is even cracking down on customers who don't border hop.

Laura Tribe lives in Toronto and says she only watches Netflix Canada. Still, her access has been blocked. 'I was really disappointed. I really like my Netflix service,' she said.

Tribe said that on Jan. 28, she suddenly discovered she couldn't watch shows on Netflix Canada using her virtual private network (VPN). Some people use the software to hide their physical location so they can hop virtual borders. But Tribe said she uses her VPN only for personal privacy reasons. When she called Netflix to complain, Tribe said, she was told to stop using her VPN or cancel Netflix.

'It's really discouraging when the answer is, 'Sorry, can't help you,' said Tribe, who is now considering cancelling her subscription. Netflix without borders Tribe is also the digital rights specialist for Open Media. The Vancouver-based organization advocates a free and open internet. On the same day that Tribe lost her Netflix service, Open Media launched an in response to the Netflix crackdown.

The campaign contends that clamping down on customers using VPNs is unfair, because some people, like Tribe, use them solely for maintaining online privacy. Soundclash Tunes Rarity. 'They're going after the wrong technology and they're going about it the wrong way,' says Tribe.

Open Media's campaign contends that instead of targeting paying customers, Netflix should demand less restrictive deals with content rights holders. As with many streaming companies, Netflix blocks customers from accessing programs in other regions because content licensing agreements vary between countries. Tech experts suspect Netflix recently stepped up its crackdown because of increased pressure from rights holders demanding that Netflix toe the line on regional content restrictions. 'We would really hope to see that Netflix starts to stand up to those content providers and try to enforce larger, globally licensed agreements,' said Tribe.

Netflix did not respond directly to CBC's request for comment. Instead, it pointed to a company on the crackdown. Its author, vice-president of content delivery, David Fullagar, stated that Netflix's ultimate goal is globally available content. He said the company is making progress in global licensing agreements, but admitted 'we have a ways to go.' In the meantime, stated Fullagar, the company will continue to clamp down on those crossing virtual borders. Wishy-washy crackdown? However, with unblocking services already claiming they're finding solutions, the crackdown may be petering out.

Tribe even suspects Netflix may have never intended to go after border hoppers with full force in the first place. Instead, she suspects, the company may just be making some noise to placate rights holders. Although Tribe got hit, she said she knows other VPN users who still have no problems accessing Netflix.

'Which leads us to believe,' said Tribe, 'That this [crackdown] is either poorly executed or that it's half-hearted.' To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted. By submitting a comment, you accept that CBC has the right to reproduce and publish that comment in whole or in part, in any manner CBC chooses. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. Comments on this story are moderated according to our. Comments are welcome while open.

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