Netflix defeats MyRepublic, and pretty much any VPN out there

CEO Reed Hastings onstage at CES 2016. Photo credit: Netflix.

It turns out Netflix is serious about enforcing geographical content restrictions, presumably to respect the licensing agreements of content distributors.

Now, even internet service providers like Singapore’s MyRepublic as well as VPN providers are having trouble getting around it.

Some methods worked but only for a limited period.

MyRepublic had just sent an email to all its subscribers about how its VPN-like Teleport service can no longer let people watch the US version of Netflix, which has a far larger video library than the Singapore one.

“Over the the past month we have been working with customers to test and evaluate different options. Some methods worked but only for a limited period. Over time, we observed that Netflix’s proxy detection and blocking process is ongoing, complex and evolving,” wrote MyRepublic, resigned.

This email was prompted by complaints from MyRepublic customers who’ve been unable to access Netflix US.

“We believe that we’ve entered a new age of global streaming, where Over-The-Top (OTT) content providers have expanded their offers globally like never before — and have consequently stepped up how carefully they manage and deliver their content.”

MyRepublic will instead focus its efforts on optimizing video streaming for Netflix Singapore.

While Netflix had in the past turned a blind eye whenever users accessed its US service via a VPN, that changed once it opened up its service to pretty much the whole world.

“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,” Netflix wrote in a blog post foreshadowing the more stringent restrictions.

“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.”

For Netflix fans who’ve been eagerly awaiting the launch of the service in their countries, and who are used to not having to wait to catch a full season of Netflix’s in-house shows, this is an uncharacteristic moment of delayed gratification.

Full letter from MyRepublic: