Netflix is going after VPN-using "pirates" after studios complained
111 replies, posted
[url]http://torrentfreak.com/netflix-cracks-down-on-vpn-and-proxy-pirates-150103/[/url]
[quote]
Netflix is starting to block subscribers who access its service using VPN services and other tools that bypass geolocation restrictions. The changes, which may also affect legitimate users, have been requested by the movie studios who want full control over what people can see in their respective countries.
Due to complicated licensing agreements Netflix is only available in a few dozen countries, all of which have a different content library.
Some people bypass these content and access restrictions by using [URL="https://torrentfreak.com/which-vpn-services-take-your-anonymity-seriously-2014-edition-140315/"]VPNs[/URL] or other circumvention tools that change their geographical location. This makes it easy for people all around the world to pay for access to the U.S. version of Netflix, for example.
The movie studios are not happy with these deviant subscribers as it hurts their licensing agreements. Previously entertainment industry sources in Australia complained bitterly that tens of thousands of Netflix “VPN-pirates” [URL="https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-users-pirating-netflix-scare-tv-networks-140303/"]were hurting their business[/URL].
Over the past weeks Netflix has started to take action against people who use certain circumvention tools. The Android application started to [URL="http://www.reddit.com/r/netflix/comments/2qevqt/meta_netflix_is_starting_to_crack_down_on_dns_vpn/"]force Google DNS[/URL] which now makes it harder to use DNS based location unblockers, and several VPN IP-ranges were targeted as well.
Among other things Netflix must “use such geolocation bypass detection technology to detect known web proxies, DNS based proxies, anonymizing services and VPNs which have been created for the primary intent of bypassing geo-restrictions.”
Blocking VPN and proxy “pirates” has become a priority for the movie studios as streaming services have failed to introduce proper countermeasures. Early 2014 the movie studio looked into the accessibility of various services through popular circumvention tools, including TorGuard, to find out that most are not blocked.
[/quote]
More bad news for people that use VPNs to circumvent asinine region-locking policies. It's bad enough that Netflix arbitrarily yanks good content and replaces it with shitty content, now I won't even be able to toggle over to a Canadian server and enjoy their different (often better) movies.
This could be the year the VPN business gets killed off by the anti-piracy nazis. Things are not looking good.
Hooray for capitalism
good thing I live in the USA I guess where I'm not very restricted in what's available on netflix, feel bad for australians. It's almost as if these studios want people to pirate.
Good job dumbasses. Instead of being paid for people watching it, they will just download it for free
The studios wanted money so they go after VPN's to try and stop their access, get some additional agreements. However, all this will do is push those customers elsewhere to get their entertainment. All Netflix accomplishes by doing this is shooting themselves in the foot.
[QUOTE=Used Car Salesman;46849312]It's bad enough that Netflix arbitrarily yanks good content and replaces it with shitty content, now I won't even be able to toggle over to a Canadian server and enjoy their different (often better) movies. [/QUOTE]
Really? Most Canadians do the same thing you do for the same reasons. Our library is poop for Canada, so a lot of people switch over to American Netflix.
[QUOTE=BANNED USER;46849347]The studios wanted money so they go after VPN's to try and stop their access, get some additional agreements. However, all this will do is push those customers elsewhere to get their entertainment. All Netflix accomplishes by doing this is shooting themselves in the foot.[/QUOTE]
I imagine it's more the studios saying "Stop this VPN stuff or we won't have any more contracts with you" then Netflix going after it themselves
[QUOTE=BANNED USER;46849347]The studios wanted money so they go after VPN's to try and stop their access, get some additional agreements. However, all this will do is push those customers elsewhere to get their entertainment. All Netflix accomplishes by doing this is shooting themselves in the foot.[/QUOTE]
They are shooting themselves in the foot too if the publishers decide to pull out of Netflix. It's a lesser of two evil request to block the VPN's.
[QUOTE=BANNED USER;46849347]All Netflix accomplishes by doing this is shooting themselves in the foot.[/QUOTE]
i don't think they had much of a choice to be honest
[QUOTE=Cmx;46849344]Good job dumbasses. Instead of being paid for people watching it, they will just download it for free[/QUOTE]
Damn straight. Every time they chip away at the convenience of access and size of the available library, I start thinking "Why am I paying for this every month when there is another option that delivers better content, just as fast, for free, and doesn't get arbitrarily deleted or region-locked?"
Really, the studios have always wished they had just dispatched their lawyers to strangle Netflix in the crib. They hate it almost as much as they hate the internet itself. Now they're just playing the long game and slowly strangling it by withholding content and making access worse. They doll out content to different services to make sure that to actually get everything, you have to pay more than cable.
Fuck 'em all.
[editline]3rd January 2015[/editline]
[QUOTE=Cuel;46849371]i don't think they had much of a choice to be honest[/QUOTE]
Studios control who gets what content. Netflix knows full well that 90%+ of their library is just filler and B-movie garbage. They can barely get any worthwhile and current movies as it is.
And then they wonder why piracy exists
I HAVE the money
I WANT to give them the money
[img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/13796438/Screenshot%202015-01-03%2021.01.23.png[/img]
But if they won't let me, then I'm fucking sorry
UK Netflix is shit and not worth paying for at all, so nice knowing you Netflix.
Christ, these people are never happy. Vpn pirates? Like holy shit, really?!?!. These people are paying customers and still being labeled pirates. Cant win can you, that is fine block them an they'll go back to alternative means of getting content.
Meanwhile good folks who use vpn to bypass shitty internet routes will probably be effected for no good reason. Just because some fucking suit can protect their 'property' which they wouldn't have to if they didn't limit it to where it can be viewed and on what platforms.
How else will they afford their tropical island or mansion if you don't pay more and watch what they tell you?
[QUOTE=PieClock;46849388]UK Netflix is shit and not worth paying for at all, so nice knowing you Netflix.[/QUOTE]
I've watched at least 7-8 shows start to finish that I never would have otherwise seen on my Freesat TV without Netflix, since I very rarely buy boxsets. I can't disagree more.
[QUOTE=Cuel;46849371]i don't think they had much of a choice to be honest[/QUOTE]
Yup. I remember reading that Netflix don't give a shit that people use VPNs and if they could have a universal non-region-specific library they would.
[QUOTE=Dr.Critic;46849460]I've watched at least 7-8 shows start to finish that I never would have otherwise seen on my Freesat TV without Netflix, since I very rarely buy boxsets. I can't disagree more.[/QUOTE]
Netflix was better when I started off using it because there were a few shows like you said worth watching. [I]However[/I], you have to remember this is a subscription service and after you've watched those few decent shows on there, you're suddenly left with fuck all worth watching.
They simply do not add enough worthwhile content on there.
There will come a time, soon, when people are going to say fuck you and everyone will start pirating content just for spite.
They need to realize that the consumer is in control. We can help you or we can hurt you. It's your choice...
still a lot better than hulu
[editline]3rd January 2015[/editline]
like, completely better
How does forcing android devices to use google's DNS servers prevent VPN usage? :v:
Holy shit, as if it wasn't enough that I'm paying 10 quid a month, now I won't be able to watch stuff when I'm back home. Fuck off Netflix.
Its like the movie industry wants their products pirated.
Nononono, you can't pay to watch our movie yet because we haven't given your country permission yet!
[QUOTE=PieClock;46849388]UK Netflix is shit and not worth paying for at all, so nice knowing you Netflix.[/QUOTE]
the service is good but their library is awful
The moment they block me accessing US Netflix is the moment I'm stopping my subscription.
I wish there was a way of watching movies and tv shows for free. Oh wait...
Might as well let them block my subscription not like there's anything worth watching on the US netflix. You're paying for scrolling through a list of garbage.
Yup, just gonna cancel my sub if they block me.
Are they actively punishing VPN users now or are they just saying they're gonna do it?
I'm watching Psych which is only on the US Netflix (hell,can't even buy any other seasons aside from 1 in the Netherlands) and I really do not want to stop or have my account blocked.
how are they supposed to determine if you're using a VPN or not? check who owns the IP? can't that be easily bypassed by setting up the VPN yourself on a 5$ VPS?
Does Netflix regularly release subscription numbers? Would be interesting to see how much this affects the userbase.
I know most of the users come from the US but even so VPN using members quitting the service should make at least some waves. Especially coupled with the recent-ish price increase, apparent decrease in number of new subs and dip in stock prices.
I barely forgave them for removing King of the Hill anyway.
[QUOTE=PieClock;46849493]Netflix was better when I started off using it because there were a few shows like you said worth watching. [I]However[/I], you have to remember this is a subscription service and after you've watched those few decent shows on there, you're suddenly left with fuck all worth watching.
They simply do not add enough worthwhile content on there.[/QUOTE]
Ain't that the truth. I only ever resub when I got a hankering to rewatch the office\breaking bad. They never put anything new on that is worth spending £7 sub on.
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