If you’re subscribed to a number of US-based streaming media services, then you might wonder whether you can still use the service when you’re on the move. What if you have a Netflix account, and you’d like to watch, say, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine? In the US, that would be impossible – you’d need a Paramount Plus account, instead. If you’re in the United Kingdom, on the other hand, it’s trivial.
Why is this, and how can we get around it?
Understanding Geo-Restrictions and Content Blocking
Geo-blocking is the practice of restricting a service in a certain territory. In most cases, this is for legal reasons. The provider might not own the rights to distribute your favorite show in the country you’re trying to access it from.
In some cases, an entire website might be blocked from the internet because of local censorship laws. Web stores like Steam might place restrictions on the kinds of currency they deal with. For example, in countries where Bitcoin is banned, you might be forbidden from buying a game with it.
Using VPNs to Access Global Content
A VPN provides a means of channeling the data you send and receive through an encrypted server. If the server is based in a different country, then the data received by that server will be appropriate to that country. Thus, you’ll be able to view your home page on Netflix, say, as though you were actually in that country yourself.
Many reputable VPN services offer software built for mobile phones. For example, you might install a VPN for iPhone, and then access Netflix and other platforms while you’re waiting in an airport.
Risks of Using Public Wi-Fi While Abroad
An extra benefit of using a VPN is its capacity to protect you against malicious attacks, especially when you’re using unsecured public WiFi. Since the data you’re sending is encrypted, it’s useless to anyone who might intercept it.
Of course, even the best VPN software is no substitute for vigilance and common sense. Make sure that you’re also familiar with how phishing works, and where the common threats are likely to come from.
Legal Considerations and Staying Compliant
It’s worth considering that VPNs are banned in many countries – though not, as yet, in the UK. The services you use might also have special rules about how they dispense content to VPNs, which means that you might find yourself unable to get access to the media you want. For the avoidance of doubt, it’s worth running through the VPN rules for the platform you’re interested in!
