Netflix Cracking Down On Users Who Use VPNs To Access Restricted Content

Netflix is set to get tough on subscribers who use a VPN to try and watch content from other countries.

Netflix's model means that not all of its shows are available in all territories, for example the offering we have in the UK will be different to subscribers in the US, but some users aren't happy with that and use VPNs - short for virtual private network - to get around the restrictions.

Now a report in Torrent Freak claims the streaming giant will be cracking down on those who try to use a VPN to access restricted content by blocking their IP addresses.

PA

Those who Netflix finds to be using VPNs will only be able to stream Netflix Originals - as the rights to these shows and movies fully belong to the streaming service.

Customers have been posting about the issue on social media, with Netflix user writing: "Netflix has the right to block geo-restricted content. So now what?"

Another wrote: "I noticed that my account is displaying nothing but Netflix Originals and a handful of non-Netflix original content on my TV, but on my phone, it displays everything as usual/normal."

Someone else claimed to need to use the VPN to get subtitles in their required language - posting: "Hey Netflix, I need content with subtitles in different languages. Please stop blocking VPN! Since you don't provide subtitles in languages I need in my own region... don't block access to other regions. Alternatively you can provide subtitles in all languages!"

Netflix

VPN provider WeVPN told Torrent Freak it had noticed an updated geo-fencing system which was blocking the IP addresses of some 'legitimate' VPN users.

A spokesperson from WeVPN said: "The collateral damage is that you have hundreds of thousands of legitimate residential Netflix subscribers blocked from accessing Netflix's local country full catalog from their home."

In response to a tweet about unavailable content, Netflix replied: "Help is here! If you do not have proxies, VPNs, or other routing software but still see this message, contact your internet service provider. They'll be able to determine why your IP address is associated with proxy or VPN use."

A Netflix spokesperson told Torrent Freak it is not banning all content for customers who use VPN and proxy services - and that Netflix Originals are still available.

The company went on to say it was working with people who had been 'inadvertently affected' to give them full access to its content library.

Topics: TV and Film, Technology, Netflix

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19