Netflix's War On VPNs Excludes US Soldiers On Foreign Soil

Many users and would be users rejoiced when Netflix announced that it was setting up shop in 130 countries around the world. That glad tiding, however, came with heavy news for some subscribers. Netflix was hunkering down on users trying to access content not available for their respective countries, particularly those using proxies or VPNs. This hit home for US citizens who find themselves abroad, either permanently or temporarily, like US army personnel stationed in foreign bases. To them, Netlfix makes a special exemption, allowing them to use Netflix as if they were back at home.

So the good news is that US military bases in other countries are shielded from Netflix's mission to block proxy users. It has always done so, said a company spokesperson. Perhaps it's based on the common (but not exactly formal) notion of such bases being US territory. Or maybe it's just Netflix's way of thanking such personnel for their service to the country even when abroad. Either way, some US soldiers see it as a morale boost that gives them a taste of home even when far away.

Netflix, however, doesn't count other US citizens working in other countries. They will continue to be limited to the content selection available to that particular market.

Netflix has always been playing a tug of war against proxy users but it is only know that it putting it under a microscope. It is, sadly, a case where both sides might have acceptable reasons but aren't really able to agree on a compromise. On Netflix's part, it can't legally offer content that has not been licensed for distribution in a particular country. Licensing laws apply differently for different jurisdictions and progress is usually snail-paced. Proxy users, on the other hand, comprise of paying users who feel they are entitled to Netflix's catalog, no matter where they are accessing it from.

For now, there is no resolution to this struggle, and Netlix and proxy users will continue to play a cat and mouse game. Netflix might try to get VPN services and servers blocked, but those can also pop up new servers and connections just as quickly.

VIA: The Next Web