National

Netflix Cracks Down On Proxy Services Used By Customers To Access Foreign Content

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 14 Jan, 2016 11:47 AM

TORONTO — Netflix says it's planning on cracking down on users who use virtual private networks and proxy services to view content not available in their countries.

Many of the company's distribution deals with major studios and content providers are negotiated on a regional basis, meaning certain titles are only available to users in certain countries.

Some Canadians use VPN services to stream Netflix movies and TV shows available in the United States, which according to the website Netflixable has around twice as many available titles.

The U.S. version of Netflix also features more Hollywood blockbusters and recent seasons of popular network shows than its Canadian counterpart.

In a blog post, David Fullagar, Netflix's vice-president of content delivery, said the company is making progress in licensing content across borders but is now implementing new measures to end the use of so-called unblockers and other proxy services.

The company has always been against the use of such services and has said it takes measure to shut them down, but Fullagar said the company is "evolving" its approach to the problem and the new strategy will be in place in the coming weeks.

According to a April 2015 report by Media Technology Monitor, roughly two in five English-speaking Canadians has a subscription to the video-streaming service, with nearly one-third saying they had accessed the American version of the service.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Richmond's Secret Decorator Mulls Seasonal Surprise As Minister Seeks Wreathed Lion Return To Bridge

Each Christmas, for more than 16 years, Mauro Azzano secretly hung wreaths and bows around the necks of the huge stone lions at the south end of the Lions Gate Bridge, connecting Vancouver and the North Shore.

Richmond's Secret Decorator Mulls Seasonal Surprise As Minister Seeks Wreathed Lion Return To Bridge

Telus To Cut Workforce By 1,500 Positions In Effort To Cut Annual Costs By Up To $125 Million

The Vancouver-based company, which operates one of Canada's biggest telecommunications networks, provided few details about the downsizing except that many of the cuts include voluntary departures and early retirements.

Telus To Cut Workforce By 1,500 Positions In Effort To Cut Annual Costs By Up To $125 Million

New Liberal Government Reinstating Long-Form Census, But Won't Talk Penalties

Navdeep Bains, the minister of innovation, science and economic development, said the new government is focused on evidence-based decision-making over ideology.

New Liberal Government Reinstating Long-Form Census, But Won't Talk Penalties

Justin Trudeau Relaxes Conservative Control Of Diplomats, Urges Them To Engage

Trudeau sent a letter Wednesday to the ambassadors and high commissioners of Canada's foreign missions telling them he and his cabinet will be relying on their judgment and insight to advance Canada's foreign policy goals.

Justin Trudeau Relaxes Conservative Control Of Diplomats, Urges Them To Engage

Saskatoon Children With Rare Disease To Have $500,000 Drug Covered By Province

Muhammed Akhter says when he got the phone call from the health minister he had to ask the woman on the line three times to repeat what she was saying. He calls it "life-changing news."

Saskatoon Children With Rare Disease To Have $500,000 Drug Covered By Province

Newfoundland And Labrador On Verge Of Provincial Election Call For Nov. 30

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Voters in Newfoundland and Labrador will go to the polls on Nov. 30 in a provincial election that was scheduled to formally start on Thursday.