Netflix is set up to get tough on subscribers using a VPN to try and watch content from other countries.
Netflix's model means that not all of its shows are available in all territories, for example, the offer we have in the UK will be different than subscribers in the US, but some users are not happy with that and use VPN, short for virtual private. red - to get around the restrictions.
Now a report on Torrent Freak claims that the streaming giant will crack down on those who try to use a VPN to access restricted content by blocking their IP addresses.
Those found by Netflix to use VPN will only be able to stream Netflix Originals, as the rights to these shows and movies belong entirely to the streaming service.
Customers have been posting about the issue on social media, with the Netflix user writing: "Netflix has the right to block geo-restricted content. Now what?"
Another wrote: "I noticed that my account shows nothing but Netflix Originals and a handful of non-Netflix original content on my TV, but on my phone, it shows everything as usual."
Someone else claimed they needed to use the VPN to get subtitles in the required language, posting: "Hey Netflix, I need content with subtitles in different languages. Please stop blocking the VPN! Since you don't provide subtitles in the languages โโI need in my own region ... don't block access to other regions. Alternatively, you can provide subtitles in all languages! "
VPN provider WeVPN told Torrent Freak that it had noticed an updated geofence system that was blocking the IP addresses of some 'legitimate' VPN users.
A WeVPN spokesperson said: "The collateral damage is that you have hundreds of thousands of legitimate residential Netflix subscribers blocked from accessing Netflix's full local country catalog from home."
In response to a tweet about unavailable content, Netflix responded, "Help is here! If you don't have proxies, VPNs, or other routing software, but you still see this message, please contact your Internet Service Provider. They will be able to determine why your IP address is associated with the use of proxy or VPN ".
A Netflix spokesperson told Torrent Freak that it is not banning all content for customers using VPN and proxy services, and that Netflix originals are still available.
The company went on to say that it was working with people who had been 'inadvertently affected' to give them full access to its content library.
