Is Netflix Blocking VPN Services?
The short answer to this is question is “yes.”
Though rumors of a Netflix ban on Virtual Private Networks have been floating through the blogosphere and tech news world for several years, it was January of 2016 when Netflix put the proverbial nail in the coffin. The dream of Netflix users watching their favorite programs through a VPN was now dead.
Despite the fact that over 36,000 Netflix users have signed a petition against this action, Netflix remains steadfast in its rejection of users accessing their content through Virtual Private Networks.
However, this does not mean all hope is lost. Several VPN providers have been offering working solutions for Netflix. The sustainability of these solutions is up for question, but many are working for now.
Keep an eye on this post to stay updated with Netflix’s fight against VPNs.
Netflix VPN Blocking – Quick Overview
In 2014, Netflix pushed through an update that blocked DNS masking tools, geo-restricting its content. We’ll explore what that means, the effects of that decision, and potential reasons why. Plus, some solutions on how users can avoid Netflix blocking in their region.
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The Background On Netflix VPN Blocking
Late in 2014, Netflix pushed through an update on its Android App (version 3.7.2) as they do very frequently. Usually, an app update includes a few bug fixes, some interface updates, maybe a new feature here and there. But this update did something else that has caused this eruption of news.
According to TorrentFreak among others, the Netflix app began to force or hardcode a Google DNS lookup. To the average user, this means nothing. But for the enraged, this meant that the Netflix app now prevents being tricked by DNS masking tools.
Before going any further, it’s important to clarify that the use of the term VPN in most of these reports is incorrect and confusing. The term that should have been used is DNS masking tools or SmartDNS. Users of secure VPN service solutions such as the ones below have reported limited to no interruptions due to this app modification.
What is DNS?
If you are a loyal FlashRouter reader you probably already know the ins and outs of DNS. If you happened to miss that one, we’ll give a short summary:
- DNS is a protocol that uses a set of standards for exchanging data on the Internet.
- Its job is to convert a user-friendly domain name (like FlashRouters.com) into an IP address (or a string of location-relaying digits) that computers use to identify one another.
- Think of a DNS server like your cellphone contact list; you tap the name and the phone translates that tap into a phone number.
So there are different DNS servers that produce different lookup results. So one DNS phonebook might tell Netflix to send you to the US version of the site. This is a very simple way of explaining how SmartDNS works. It offers a phonebook that can potentially trick a website into thinking you are not where you are without changing your real location/IP address.
The Netflix SmartDNS Problem
While a VPN service has legitimate security and privacy uses, SmartDNS is often tied to the wish to get access to content without specific concerns for an encrypted connection to the Internet.
- SmartDNS offers no encryption or IP address changing but rather gives you access to a premium connection list.
- The benefit is potentially unblocked access without the speed cost of high-level encryption and tunneling your traffic over long distances.
This Netflix Android app update actually makes the app check the Google servers which don’t have the phonebook you want to use from your SmartDNS provider thereby preventing you from bypassing any geoblock.
An action like this has also been a danger with using SmartDNS providers as they were exploiting a loophole that most content providers have ignored. But once they decide to close a loophole what do you get but angry consumers who just want things to stay the way they were.
However, some providers offer users the ability to take advantage of both features. Check out some of our customers’ favorites below:
How To Fix The Netflix Android App Update
According to multiple outlets, issues have been reported with SmartDNS services such as Unotelly, UnoDNS, and Unblockus. However, this issue has had no effect on users of VPN services where traffic is tunneled and encrypted through an alternate location or country.
The issue for SmartDNS is that it plays a trick with Netflix servers by sending the domain name inquiry through a US-based server, while never masking your real IP address in your native country.
For SmartDNS users, FlashRouters offers a solution in our enhanced routers that offer advanced DNS setup options. A FlashRouter with alternative firmware allows you to reroute the traffic through the Netflix app to the DNS server that you want.
By creating a default DNS within the router, the hardcoded DNS server on the Netflix app can be bypassed and ignored allowing your previous services to work as usual or you can choose to use one of the supported 40+ VPN providers to integrate privacy and encryption via OpenVPN or IKEv2.
Fix Streaming with a FlashRouter
Using a high-powered WiFi device like one of the ones below allows for network-wide integration of VPN services or SmartDNS services with a single setup. Once that setup is done, any device that passes through the FlashRouter no longer be affected by this Android, or Roku, or Apple iOS update.
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Not only that but the firmware installed on your router allows you to take full control of your network and settings out of the hands of your ISP. Whether it is boosting your wireless signal or prioritizing your favorite sites or applications like Netflix, a FlashRouter offers a wide range of options not available on default routers on Amazon or your local Best Buy.
Use a Privacy Hero To Find Missing Content
If you’re looking for more of an “it just works” solution, the Privacy Hero is sure to help you. By automatically doing all of the server switching and selecting in the background, the Privacy Hero doesn’t bother you with every little step required to use a VPN for geo-restricted content. Stop jumping from server to server and let someone else do the work, while you just watch the streaming content you want.
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Why Did Netflix Implement This DNS Hardcoding?
There are many reasons this update may have occurred but one popular explanation seems to be Netflix’s impending entrance into Australia.
An iDigitalTimes piece from September stated that more than 200,000 users in Australia were utilizing VPN for Netflix. It appears that to allay some content provider’s fears in that country Netflix did their due diligence in closing a loophole.
Even the Sony hacks provided proof that they were mad at Netflix’s “failure to block overseas VPN,” according to Ars Technica. So it is not surprising that Netflix would take some token steps to react.
International Netflix Users Ain’t Too Happy
Besides the hundreds of comments on that original Reddit post as well as the heavy action on the many articles from online, this Crave Online headline might just sum it up best, “Netflix Blocking Foreign VPN Users is a Ridiculously Stupid Move.”
From threats of cancellation via protest, the outcry of frustrated consumers has been heard loud and clear. For travelers, international businessmen, or users stationed overseas in the military, VPN has become an invaluable tool for not losing access while they traverse the world whether it is the UK, Asia, the Middle East, or South America.
Netflix’s Response to the VPN Blocking Revelation
According to a BBC article from CES, Netflix “denied reports it had stepped up its attempts to block access via virtual private networks (VPNs)… its existing policy against the use of VPNs to circumvent geographical content barriers remained unchanged. But it said its service would still work via some VPNs.”
Quoting Netflix’s chief product officer Neil Hunt “The claims that we have changed our policy on VPN are false…People who are using a VPN to access our service from outside of the area will find that it still works exactly as it has always done.”
The BBC also reported that “Netflix said it did routinely block the workarounds using “industry standard” techniques, but there was no special effort being undertaken to block more of them than usual,” claiming “that the company had added a ‘failsafe’ on its Android app to help users whose DNS provider was unreliable.”
Why Would Netflix Blocks VPNs?
While it is doubtful that Netflix would ever base its entire corporate policy on the needs of any single country or movie studio, they also have no interest in directly violating the will of studios and media broadcasters where legitimate expansion is occurring.
On the one hand, Netflix wants to provide users with the most content possible. On the other hand, it needs to satisfy content partners so they’re willing to license content to Netflix. Regional distributors are highly protective of their rights as they do bear the cost of these productions.
Hunt went on to tacitly confirm the Aussie factor by saying,
“The reality is we blacklist known VPNs in accordance with our content contracts – Foxtel, for example, owns House of Cards in Australia so they kind of like us to block them. But we are not changing our policy. It remains the same as it ever was.”
Is There a Large Difference in Netflix Catalogs from Country to Country?
Differences in country-by-country Netflix choice can be vast and frustrating. A recent analysis explored the differences in content around the world. For example, as of June 2020, users in the US have access to the most tiles with 5879 total titles. Users in Canada had access to the most movies, with 4043.
On a more content-specific note, popular movies like Pulp Fiction were available in Canada, but not in the US. Meanwhile, Lost fans could only access the show in Japan or South Korea. Our friends over at Surfshark have compiled a full list on their site.
Netflix is also in an awkward position with its content catalog. In some countries, the service charges twice as much even though it offers half the amount of films and TV series. As Netflix expands, satisfying regional content partners becomes a more expensive endeavor. And, with new streaming services enter the market, the streaming giant faces stiffer competition for existing content. While increasing its collection of original series further adds to costs that are passed onto consumers.
And customers seeing greener pastures in another country, which isn’t too hard with all the information out there, will try to find a way to bypass the limitations based on the country they are connecting from, visiting, or living in.
Conclusion on the Netflix “VPN” Block
These frustration tactics of cat and mouse will likely not work for long as users want access to the same content and level playing field. If a user didn’t want to pay for it, there are many illegitimate sources of this content.
But Netflix has become so popular and loved that users like the convenience and content and consistent quality. Yet, increasingly, archaic regional regulations are crushing innovation and access, forcing users to alternative solutions.
As stated before, many international users have legitimate reasons to connect to the internet through VPN providers. VPNs do not exist to violate copyright law. Rather, they are used to offer Internet connected users security, privacy, and encryption in a digital world that seems to be murkier every day. Take a look at some of our customer favorites:
It’s also important to consider that while these are all generally compatible with Netflix, you must make sure to contact your provider to find out exactly which servers to connect to for access.
Whether it is dissidents communicating under an oppressive regime or reporters trying to communicate with sources, VPN is a go-to method of private activity and communication.
Take Control of Your Wireless Network with a FlashRouter
Actions like this from Netflix are a good enough reason to consider taking complete control of your network at a router level with a premium WiFi and networking device from FlashRouters. It only takes one update to ruin the setup on a single device, but these types of updates have no effect on a network-wide setup within a router. Take a look at some of our top picks below.
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For Netflix to come out directly against a secure and encrypted Internet with a blanket VPN ban on users would be silly and an equally bad PR move.
It is not inconceivable that a US military serviceman, serving on US territory abroad, relies on a foreign Internet connection. The only method for gaining and maintaining access to their preferred home content like Netflix would be through a VPN connection. Imagine the headline “Netflix Cutting Off the US Military”, now that would be great for business huh?
What Did Netflix Announce in January 2021?
On January 12, 2021, Netflix announced plans to release at least one new original movie every week for the rest of the year. The streaming giant dropped a teaser reel, introduced by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Gal Gadot, and Ryan Reynolds, highlighting some of the new films being released. For a full list of upcoming movies, check out this comprehensive list.
What Did Netflix Announce in February 2022?
Following the success of 2021’s movie-a-week strategy, Netflix continued the practice in 2022. On February 3, 2022, Netflix released a promotional trailer on its YouTube channel highlighting its 2022 roster.
Editor’s Note: This article is intended to be informative to keep Internet users updated about the use of their Netflix subscription in conjunction with VPN. FlashRouters does not encourage users to violate Netflix terms of service or laws related to the rights of streaming service content holders in various countries.
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