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Netflix could soon block VPN & DNS users


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Old 16-08-2015, 20:39
Chris197800
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Thanks for the tips.

I found its a fairly simple process for any folk using smart blu-ray players, simply go into IP settings switch the DNS code then as someone mentioned you can then change the location from the unblock-us home page from any web browser.
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Old 16-08-2015, 21:11
Placebo_PRS
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Everytime I see this thread bumped I'm expecting news about Netflix VPN/DNS blocking, when in fact it's simply people trying to figure out which DNS to use and how to use it, perhaps that'd be better in a more ontopic thread and leave this one to slide away until if/when Netflix do start actually blocking VPN/DNS (as unlikely as that is IMO)
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Old 18-08-2015, 01:57
izanami
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Everytime I see this thread bumped I'm expecting news about Netflix VPN/DNS blocking, when in fact it's simply people trying to figure out which DNS to use and how to use it, perhaps that'd be better in a more ontopic thread and leave this one to slide away until if/when Netflix do start actually blocking VPN/DNS (as unlikely as that is IMO)
I completely agree.

Someone (you?) should make a thread specifically for VPS/DNS discussion and leave this one for the subject of Netflix blocking them (or not)
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Old 18-08-2015, 10:28
Chris197800
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Before we switch to a new thread can I ask one more question

When I enter the unblock-us DNS code on my blu-ray it works fine but after I shut the player down and then restart it next time I use it the device won't connect to the internet unless I revert to the correct DNS then re-connect then change the DNS again.

Is this normal? It's no big problem as it only takes a minute or so to do.
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Old 14-01-2016, 17:23
muppetman11
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https://media.netflix.com/en/company...global-service
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Old 14-01-2016, 18:11
jcm193
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Well there going to loose a lot of business if they do this the only reason i keep netflix is for the different regions
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Old 14-01-2016, 18:32
darkjedimaster
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Well there going to loose a lot of business if they do this the only reason i keep netflix is for the different regions
If they do this then I may just keep Netflix, but will use Kodi more for content that Netflix isn't giving me, am not really bothered if it is illegal or not.
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Old 14-01-2016, 18:40
jcm193
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If they do this then I may just keep Netflix, but will use Kodi more for content that Netflix isn't giving me, am not really bothered if it is illegal or not.
I personally dont think netflix is worth it if your going to be stuck with using the UK version only
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Old 14-01-2016, 19:21
darkjedimaster
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I personally dont think netflix is worth it if your going to be stuck with using the UK version only
My Partner loves Netflix and watches mostly UK content with the odd bit of USA content like Friends. If I want to watch something in particular, then I run a search to see which region has it & then watch it via Unblock us. My partner cannot get used to how Kodi works, and prefers Netflix. So if I keep Netflix it will mainly be for her.
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Old 14-01-2016, 19:52
-GONZO-
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https://media.netflix.com/en/company...global-service

14 January 2016

Evolving Proxy Detection as a Global Service
Written By David Fullagar
If all of our content were globally available, there wouldn’t be a reason for members to use proxies or “unblockers” to fool our systems into thinking they’re in a different country than they’re actually in. We are making progress in licensing content across the world and, as of last week, now offer the Netflix service in 190 countries, but we have a ways to go before we can offer people the same films and TV series everywhere.

Over time, we anticipate being able to do so. For now, given the historic practice of licensing content by geographic territories, the TV shows and movies we offer differ, to varying degrees, by territory. In the meantime, we will continue to respect and enforce content licensing by geographic location.

Some members use proxies or “unblockers” to access titles available outside their territory. To address this, we employ the same or similar measures other firms do. This technology continues to evolve and we are evolving with it. That means in coming weeks, those using proxies and unblockers will only be able to access the service in the country where they currently are. We are confident this change won’t impact members not using proxies.

We look forward to offering all of our content everywhere and to consumers being able to enjoy all of Netflix without using a proxy. That’s the goal we will keep pushing towards.

--David

David Fullagar is Vice President of Content Delivery Architecture at Netflix.
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Old 14-01-2016, 20:01
Jay-Cee
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I will be cancelling my sub. I guess it's back to the old ways. No way will I stick to just UK. Unless we have access to Europe. Then maybe
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Old 14-01-2016, 20:21
Amanda_Raymond
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They need global rights to movies, bit difficult in the UK especially because of Sky but if they have the money they could outbid sky on the rights to warner bros films etc
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Old 14-01-2016, 20:58
grahamlthompson
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I wonder how they can tell if you are using a smart DNS server rather than a vpn.
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Old 14-01-2016, 21:41
Kal El
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I wonder how they can tell if you are using a smart DNS server rather than a vpn.
Fingers crossed as that's what I use
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Old 14-01-2016, 22:53
darkjedimaster
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Fingers crossed as that's what I use
I have just emailed unblock us, asking them how they plan on tackling this to avoid loss of customers. Will be interesting to see what they respond with
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Old 14-01-2016, 23:08
Kal El
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I have just emailed unblock us, asking them how they plan on tackling this to avoid loss of customers. Will be interesting to see what they respond with
I look forward to hearing what their reply is.
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Old 14-01-2016, 23:33
d'@ve
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I look forward to hearing what their reply is.
They won't be able to comment other than generalise like "don't worry, we'll fix it" because Netflix won't be saying how they plan to implement the block, people will have to figure that out once it starts.
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Old 14-01-2016, 23:42
aurichie
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Netflix had to cut down on this abuse as it was seriously harming content creators and creative industries. People using a cheap Netflix subscription with a VPN to access desirable content only available on other premium UK platforms (Sky) could never be allowed to continue forever.
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Old 14-01-2016, 23:43
MTUK1
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Well there going to loose a lot of business if they do this the only reason i keep netflix is for the different regions
What about lose?
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Old 15-01-2016, 00:55
darkjedimaster
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I look forward to hearing what their reply is.
They won't be able to comment other than generalise like "don't worry, we'll fix it" because Netflix won't be saying how they plan to implement the block, people will have to figure that out once it starts.
I look forward to hearing what their reply is.
They won't be able to comment other than generalise like "don't worry, we'll fix it" because Netflix won't be saying how they plan to implement the block, people will have to figure that out once it starts.
They have replied, not much of a response but at least something

Lorie replied:

Hello ****

Thanks for getting in touch with us.

We are aware of the announcement and should our service be affected at any time, we will make adjustments. Presently, there is nothing to be concerned about as everything is working properly. It is our mission to provide you with open and free access to content from anywhere around the world.

Let us know if you need anything else.
I know it isn't much but was good to at least get a response from them

Netflix had to cut down on this abuse as it was seriously harming content creators and creative industries. People using a cheap Netflix subscription with a VPN to access desirable content only available on other premium UK platforms (Sky) could never be allowed to continue forever.
And they will get harmed a lot more when people use alternative free streaming sites, yes I pay for Netflix, Sky, WWE Network. But for everything else I use other means & if I am unable to continue using unblock us with Netflix then I like thousands of others around the world, will continue to view content by other means.
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Old 15-01-2016, 00:58
Magnum Benno
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We've heard it all before with VPN and DNS, theres always a way round it. Only way they'll make it stick is if they're going to limit people by their address and country of their credit card Like Amazon do.

Let's see what happens. I'd likely cancel but sign up a fresh proper US or Canadian subscription and stick to that region full time if it ends up possible.
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Old 15-01-2016, 01:58
aurichie
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We've heard it all before with VPN and DNS, theres always a way round it. Only way they'll make it stick is if they're going to limit people by their address and country of their credit card Like Amazon do.
That's what they should be doing. One reason they claim they don't do it now is for international travellers giving them access to service when abroad. I think just have to forget that and do what everyone else does and refuse service to people outside of the country. (i.e. you can't access Sky Go in New York) It's unfortunate but there are now far too many people abusing what initially was an appealing feature for business travellers.

So eventually I think they'll give up trying to come up with technical solutions and just implement the most obvious thing to protect the content as they are legally obligated to do.
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Old 15-01-2016, 05:19
Resonance
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Hopefully the smart DNS/VPN providers find a way round it. If not it's bye bye Netflix from me.

Hopefully Netflix are just paying lip service to the content providers, because I'm sure they know if they do put in an effective block they'll lose a lot of business.
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Old 15-01-2016, 10:37
David_Flett1
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Netflix had to cut down on this abuse as it was seriously harming content creators and creative industries. People using a cheap Netflix subscription with a VPN to access desirable content only available on other premium UK platforms (Sky) could never be allowed to continue forever.
It is not consumers that are abusing the system it is the corporate greed of the entertainment industry. To be blunt they have created GEO restrictions to control global markets. Netflix at least has made a small inroad into breaking the monopoly the cable companies have held over the consumer by forcing them to change and offer the consumer content they want not pay for a whole raft of content they don't. HBO made the headlines by offering a stand alone streaming service so that people can pay and watch HBO without having to pay and not watch a whole raft of other content.

In the UK SKY control HBO content through SKY Atlantic however it is unavailble if you are a Virgin or BT customer. Some may have no alternative but to use Virgin if they are the only provider so they are at a disadvantage. Yes they could subscribe to Virgin for broadband and phone but would have to subscribe to SKY for SKY Atlantic but they would be at a disadvantage because they could not find a cheaper deal through bundling their service.

We have long lived with content restrictions, first through theatrical windows, followed by video and latterly through cable/satellite. The creative industry should take stock of this rather than put up barriers, they should free themselves and offer their content on day one globally. There are many who circumvent these restrictions through VPN or smart dns but would rather pay the content provider direct. Where does it make economic sense to HBO for instance when they sign a deal with SKY for just £55 million a year equivalent to just 38 pence per month per subscriber. They are bound to a five yar contract but surely they must have forseen what is happening in the US would happen in the UK, Europe and globally and launch a stand alone streaming service. It is even more absurd when you could negotiate a better deal with a service such as Netflix and build a menu whereby the consumer could pay a premium for additional content. If given the choice would 20% of SKY subscribers pay for HBO through a separate streaming service at £5 a month? This would deliver HBO three times more revenue than they receive from SKY and even taking into consideration the extra cost of subscription management and delivery, they would probably make a handsome profit on the deal they have with SKY especially if the built a platform and shared resources for subscription management and delivery with a service such as Netflix.

Whether you disagree with people torrenting or circumventing GEO restrictions, they are encouraged to do so by the ridiculous barriers content providers put up. Millions want to pay for content legally, can't be bothered with the hassle of paying a VPN provider to get workarounds, these are the very people content providers are abusing not the other way round.
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Old 15-01-2016, 12:04
Tony_Daniels
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I have my doubts as to how effective it's going to be. Suspect this is just a ruse to get rights holders in other territories off their backs, to show that they're making an effort to prevent people circumnavigating geographical blocking of content.

If it is successful then everyone I know, myself included, will cancel their subscription overnight.
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