Netflix is set to increases its VPN blocking efforts, targeting users who access geo-blocked content using VPN services.
Netflix has a long-standing battle with VPN users and has attempted to restrict the content available to those bypassing restrictions. However, for the most part, it appears that VPN services and VPN users are winning, with countless guides on how to use any number of VPNs to access geo-blocked Netflix content.
But now, it appears that Netflix has had enough increasing complaints from copyright holders over users accessing content in unlicensed territories.
Netflix Lays Down the Gauntlet to VPN Providers
Netflix's issue is two-pronged. First, users are skirting geo-restrictions to access content available in other countries, typically accessing the US or UK version of Netflix. Netflix knows users are doing this, as do the copyright holders, which creates problems.
But solving the VPN geoblocking issue isn't as easy as you might think. Netflix cannot just switch the tap off, as it were. As Netflix found out, rolling out additional VPN blocking to clamp down on workarounds can backfire. Not long after Netflix began its new VPN crusade, social media channels were filled with reports of non-VPN users caught in the crossfire, with thousands of reports of accounts suddenly barred from viewing any content in any country or missing tranches of content that should be available.
How Will Netflix Block VPN Providers?
Although Netflix hasn't gone into detail, understandably so, there is some speculation as to how they will block VPN users from accessing geo-restricted content.
Currently, it is thought that some VPN services use regular residential IP addresses to mask their service. Coming from a residential IP range is far less likely to draw attention to the VPN service skirting restrictions and, as such, allow the VPN provider to continue to access Netflix unrestricted.
Rumors claim that Netflix has banned numerous residential IP address ranges, which is why so many non-VPN users have found themselves affected by Netflix's VPN crackdown.
In one instance, the Netflix support team even told a user that they should check their VPN settings, despite the fact it was Netflix blocking the service to begin with.
Can Netflix Stop VPNs?
The other issue staring down Netflix is the role of the VPNs themselves. VPN providers have no problem with their users accessing Netflix to view geo-restricted content. In fact, it's a huge selling point for VPN services, especially those that can deliver fast, stable, and secure access.
As TorrentFreak reports, major VPN services like CyberGhost and Private Internet Access found a way around Netflix's new VPN blocking countermeasures. Of course, you would expect that it won't take other VPN providers long, either. After all, just as it is Netflix's best interest to block content, it is the VPNs to break the walls down.