Netflix Is Cracking Down On VPN 'Pirating'

[neexis]

It Looks Like Netflix Is Cracking Down On VPN 'Pirating'

It's one of the internet's open secrets that if you don't live in the US, but wish you did because of the better Netflix offerings, you can use any number of Chrome extensions or VPNs to get around the geo-blocker. However, it looks like the free ride might be coming to an end, as Netflix is starting to crack down on the practice.

As TorrentFreak has noted, Netflix has recently taken up blocking some services that get around geo-blockers. They're targeting VPNs, which tunnel traffic through a particular service, and DNS-spoofing websites, which simply serve to change your virtual location. Blocking isn't widespread for now — Hola Better Internet, a hugely popular Chrome extension, is still functioning — but as TorrentFreak points out, this could easily be a test of a more blanket block that is yet to be introduced.

Blocking geo-pirates is a logical step for the content providers, who have thus far concentrated more on streaming and torrenting websites in their crusade against the internet. But since geo-piracy is easy to detect, and legally and technically relatively simple to take measures against, it was really only a matter of time.

http://gizmodo.com/it-looks-like-netfli ... 1677277648

[subie_2NR]

If they do this I'm unsubscribing.

[Allergic2BunnyEars]

I blame the content providers rather than Netflix. CPs are greedy.

[neexis]

Sometimes I find it works in our favour when we get content here that would be licensed to HBO for e.g. in the US. I normally switch back and forth.

Haven't used a paid VPN service in some time. For the last few months I've used DNSflix which is a free redirect service... only downside is that you have to renew your account every 3 days.

Too bad though.. between fast food chains, skybox services and VPN's, I was kinda getting comfortable with some of the perks of the American lifestyle.

[DVSTT]

I blame the content providers rather than Netflix. CPs are greedy.

[S_2NR]

Lol oh boy

[bushwakka]

FREE THE INTERNET!

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

most trinis use unblock-us.com and smartdnsproxy.com
wonder when those will stop working?

[skylinechild]

most trinis use unblock-us.com and smartdnsproxy.com
wonder when those will stop working?

the real question is what is going to happen to customers who purchased their service (unblock.us)

[Parvin]

most trinis use unblock-us.com and smartdnsproxy.com
wonder when those will stop working?

the real question is what is going to happen to customers who purchased their service (unblock.us)

I pay on a monthly basis, but I was tempted to take the yearly subscription offer for the Christmas ... held back though ... whew

[src1983]

Backward step by Netflix

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

most trinis use unblock-us.com and smartdnsproxy.com
wonder when those will stop working?

the real question is what is going to happen to customers who purchased their service (unblock.us)

nothing. Their conditions are based on their DNS tunneling, not the availability of a 3rd party service.

[pugboy]

Roku giving trouble too, they are hard coding the ip addresses of many services
so dns type unblock services no longer work
require ratch fix of static routes in your router which may or may not work

[redmanjp]

what about frootvpn?

[src1983]

Doesn't matter what vpn you use, sooner or later they will fully block all

[ru$$ell]

switched over to tunnelbear a few months now,very happy.

[subie_2NR]

I guess Hulu may be the next option...

[kg494EJ-1]

I blame the content providers rather than Netflix. CPs are greedy.

Unfortunately Netflix is being pressured by the studios to make this move as studios want full control on what certain regions can access. I beleive Hulu already practices the same in regards to geolocation and blocking certain VPNs.

[cornfused]

I posted this on their Facebook page

Thank you for you offerings but please remember all your clients are not based in the US but are an increasing international base . We do pay the required subscription price as those in the US . Please respect your international customers as we too would like a proper offering as your customers in the US. The disparity in this offering is exactly what led to customers switching IP addresses and using VPNs.

[cornfused]

The reply

I totally appreciate you reaching out to us on this for sure. I can assure you that we do try to give our customers the same content across all regions and as much as we do try it may seem different however while we have many titles on our site we do not own them and have to get a license to show them. Those licenses are given to us on a regional basis.

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

CNET (1hr ago) - Movie studios and rights holders may well have received their Christmas wish, with reports that Netflix has begun blocking users attempting to skirt around geoblocks on its US service by using a VPN.
The news comes after a major industry group representing rights holders and distributors confirmed that its members were lobbying Netflix in the United States to see the US version of the service blocked for users outside that region.


Netflix is currently available in nearly 50 countries worldwide, with content varying by location according to local licensing arrangements. However, in regions where the service is not available, including Australia, residents can still access the US iteration of Netflix using a VPN or similar IP-masking tools. In Australia alone, as many as 200,000 households access US Netflix according to figures cited by the company.

Those users could soon be blocked from using the service, according to new reports.

TorrentFreak reports that Netflix has begun forcing Google DNS lookup on its Android app (through an update to version 3.7.2), meaning that the app bypasses any DNS masking tools set up by the user. The problem has already been identified by VPN services including UnoDNS, Unblockus and TorGuard.

"This is a brand new development," TorGuard's Ben Van der Pelt told TorrentFreak. "A few weeks ago we received the first report from a handful of clients that Netflix blocked access due to VPN or proxy usage. This is the very first time I've ever heard Netflix displaying this type of error message to a VPN user.

"I have a sneaking suspicion that Netflix may be testing these new IP blocking methods temporarily in certain markets. At this time the blocks do not seem aggressive and may only be targeted at IP ranges that exceed too many simultaneous logins."

Despite reports that the service is being locked down, Netflix has denied any new developments.


"There have been no changes to our VPN policies," a Netflix spokesperson said.

On a recent visit to Australia ahead of the company's launch in that region, Netflix Director of Corporate Communications and Technology Cliff Edwards went some way to outline the company's policy on VPNs. However, despite repeated questioning, Edwards would not be drawn on whether the company would begin blocking Australian VPN users from accessing the US Netflix after the local launch.

"We say very specifically that VPNs violate the terms of our service, and we believe very much so that anybody who licenses content should get paid for their content," he said. "We hear a lot in every market about this, and what we tend to find too is that, after launch, these issues drop significantly."

[pugboy]

All them folks in the rich middle east countries gonna be pissed

[neexis]

CP's are actually being paid for content here.. or would they just prefer everything to be pirated?

[src1983]

Back to spanish subtitles sigh

[subie_2NR]

Not yet... Mine still working...

[Zim]

If they do this I'm unsubscribing.

Me too. We done already paying for the service. CPs can make so much more money yet they rather lose clientele

[RBphoto]

Fleck way with the youtube uploaders who block content based on country too.... fackers.

[S_2NR]

Well is not their fault we live in a third world country no one cares about

[Allergic2BunnyEars]

Well is not their fault we live in a third world country no one cares about

Yeah cuz Australia is so third world.

[S_2NR]

Australia on God back