How do I know if I've been geo-blocked?
If you try to buy something by adding to your cart on a site like Amazon, for example, but can’t complete the checkout and order, then
it's likely you've hit a geo-block. If you can’t watch a show on the
BBC's iPlayer service or can’t log in to a US Netflix platform, then
you've probably been geo-blocked. If you try to book tickets to sporting
events, festivals or theme parks online but you're prevented, then, you
guessed it, geo-blocked.
Geo-blocking is, in a technical sense, a way that service providers, businesses and digital platforms restrict access to their services or
products to users within a country or certain geographical area.
How do sites know I'm out of the country?
Websites use specialised technology called 'geolocation software' that finds the location of web users by identifying their computer's IP
address, which contains:
?a number assigned to the computer
?usually the user's internet service provider (ISP)
?the country they reside in.
Some sites may also restrict overseas credit cards, overseas bank accounts and international payments, and not provide PayPal, which can
be used across the web.
Why is geo-blocking used?
Restricting access to content based on where you are in the world is a popular strategy used far too often by multinational tech giants.
Using copyright and licensing restrictions, they can set varying prices
for their products in different places around the globe. The frustrating
reality of geo-blocking is common for Australian consumers, and we're
often charged hefty mark-ups on products from companies like Apple,
Microsoft and Amazon based on our IP address. Online media streaming
services like Netflix and Hulu also divide the globe into segments, only
granting access to those with a certain IP address.
Is bypassing geo-blocking legal?
The legality of getting around geo-blocking is a bit of a grey area. Some copyright experts claim that anyone who promotes devices or
programs that encourage people to infringe copyright are breaking the
law. However, CHOICE believes consumers who bypass measures employed to
geographically restrict copyrighted content should be exempt. Why?
Because they're only accessing products and services that are being
provided knowingly and willingly by the copyright holder.
It's legal to use a virtual private network (VPN) to protect your online transactions from hackers. In Australia,
Malcolm Turnbull has previously stated that it’s not illegal to use a
VPN to access geo-blocked content on overseas sites, despite content
deals between studios and streaming platforms that restrict access
through geographic locations.
However, it's also important to note that circumventing geo-blocks may breach the terms and conditions of the company you're buying from –
and if you're found out, your account could be cancelled, losing you
credit and access to your downloads.
According to the ACCC, your rights when using overseas-based companies to buy products may not be protected by Australian Consumer
Law. While some companies like Apple have international warranties,
others like Canon and Nintendo refuse to recognise products bought
internationally under domestic consumer law.
How would a VPN help?
You can use a VPN
to access TV, movies and media not normally available in Australia, as well as shop on some overseas sites. A VPN (virtual private network)
gives your devices a private, secure internet connection so others
can't see your information or location, which can allow you to get
around blocked overseas websites. Using a VPN server that's in the same
country as the website you're attempting to access should give you
access to media and services usually not available to Australian
residents. A word of caution before signing up for a VPN – don't assume
it'll guarantee you unfettered access to sites and service across the
web. Some platforms, such as Netflix, are trying to block people using
VPNs to access their services from another country. It's a bit like a
game of cat and mouse: whenever a technical restriction is imposed,
there are the workarounds that suddenly appear as a response.
An alternative to using a VPN service is to adopt a US-based Domain Name System (DNS) server, for about $5
per month. Rerouting your internet connection through a DNS server –
easier to do than it sounds – can also trick a website into believing
you're in another country.
If documentaries or international news are more your thing, you may be able to access BBC iPlayer and international news networks, usually
blocked here in Australia, in a similar way.
http://www.vpnsnetflix.com/page/2/
http://www.vpnsnetflix.com/2019/08/
http://www.vpnsnetflix.net/
