Netflix might not be testing ways to disable geoblocking services after all.
Early this week media reports emerged that Netflix might be working on new ways to block geoblocking services allowing customers to access different regions of the streaming platform. However, Toronto-based Unblock-Us says they have no evidence the streaming platform is testing methods to block their service in any way.
“All our services are up and running with no issues. We have seen no evidence that Netflix is attempting to block our customers from accessing their service through our DNS servers,” said Unblock-Us in a statement.
According to Unblock-Us the issues their customers, as well as users of other VPN/DNS services, are experiencing are related to Netflix launching updated apps on Android and Roku devices that hard code Google’s DNS directly into their app. A representative from Unblock-Us explained Netflix is likely experimenting with different DNS setups to “determine if it provides a faster, more direct path to stream content to subscribers,” rather than trying to block VPN and DNS services.
Google offers one of the world’s fastest DNS servers, so it makes sense for Netflix to be testing it with their app. The company also stated they experienced a similar issue with the PlayStation 3 several years ago.
This theory is inline with Netflix’s statement about the issue, explaining nothing has changed regarding the company’s policy towards VPN/DNS services, but not going so far as to outright deny that they might be testing ways to prevent subscribers from using them.
“Virtually crossing borders to use Netflix is a violation of our terms of use because of content licensing restrictions. We employ industry standard measures to prevent this kind of use. There haven’t been any recent changes to the Netflix VPN policy or terms of use,” said Netflix’s statement.
Unblock-Us, as well as other VPN and DNS services, have already found workarounds for this issue involving blocking specific DNS addresses on the user’s router.
“Smart DNS is an important service that provides Security, Privacy and helps promote Internet Freedom. We are confident that we will continue providing the quality service as we have for the last four years,” said Unblock-Us in a statement.
Source:: canada.com
