Claims Netflix experimenting with blocking Australian VPN users
Netflix appears to be experimenting with ways to block users from accessing its streaming platform using a geo-blocker or a virtual private network (VPN) ahead of its launch in Australia in the first quarter of this year, according to a report from TorrentFreak.
According to reportsVPN provider TorGuard has reported a surge in access problems by its users, starting mid-December, although some of the blocking efforts appear to have been temporary.
TorGuard’s Ben Van der Pelt told TorrentFreak: “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.”
It is estimated between 200,000 and 340,000 Australians currently access the US site using a VPN. in December Cliff Edwards, Netflix director of corporate communications, told Lifehacker it was “very hard to track someone down” using a VPN, but added: “We say very clearly that VPNs violate the terms of our service, and we believe that people who license content should get paid for it.”
Surely Netflix can use a simple fix – commit to blocking any Australian credit cards on their US service.
So, I guess this means that they’re planning on some disparate pricing for Australia as well?
It’s just as bad on HULU but I pay my money each month and they dare call me a pirate. I WILL NOT be subscribing to the Australian service. We’ll be charged more, for access to less content and, suddenly, they won’t call us pirates anymore! Yet, if we do the same thing with a US account, we’re pirates. Interesting…
If Netflix Oz is a bit shitty,people will simply pirate and Netflix will lose 200000 + US subscribers
Yes, definitely sounds like Australian’s are going to pay a higher price (as usual) for this too, like all our imported services. We’re looking for a break here people!
of course they will block AU IP – you can’t launch in a country and allow the loophole … plus all IP blocker activity will count as US revenue and they will want this going into INTL revenue so they can show growth and also return on investment.
Hulu+ and Netflix operating without problems on my (Australain) based computer. This article seems a little preemptive
Katie,
Netflix released a statement to another site I was reading saying a big “I dunno…”
It says they hadn’t done anything and aren’t sure why there was some outages but to check with their VPN people.
Like yours, mine works fine as well.
There will always be a work around, always. No one is going to pay more, for less and be happy about it.
And to anyone bright enough to get everyone on board…
If there was a service where I could pay a similar fee (10-30 a month) for a media streaming service where I could access shows at the same time (or within a few hours) of them being released say in the States for example.. I would have no need for piracy would I? It would be convenient and easy and I would have it in a heartbeat.
Shut up and take my money?