Netflix wants to put the kibosh on proxies: no access to foreign content? – Télérama.fr

Access to foreign catalogs streaming giant, by overstepping the boundaries is possible with some software. But one of the patrons of Netflix warns. The hacks, is almost finished

A year and a half after its launch in grand style in France, it would if not an exaggeration to say that Netflix disappoint. Not for the quality of its series designed to appeal to a global audience (the streaming service has produced some beautiful pieces, which, lately, sense8 , Master of None or the incredible documentary Making a murderer ), but for the rest of its catalog. Chronology of national media and agreements oblige, the offer of France to the Netflix still playing small arms. Especially that House of Cards , head of gondola producer of series, not on the French network, since the rights of the three seasons are held by Canal +.

Only board salvation for the insatiable dissatisfied overcome the boundaries and go digging in the catalogs of neighboring countries. Since the influx of Netflix worldwide – the California firm is now available in 190 countries – extensions of browsers or apps let you move from one geographical area to another and so longingly to discover the cave of Ali Baba what the catalog of some countries. Last application date have made about her, Smartflix: “Once connected to their Netflix account, the user has access to a search engine that lists all the movies and all series available on Netflix, and it connects to a proxy for the country where the content is available, “ says Le Monde .

But finished playing. These famous proxies – to put it simply, an intermediary between a network and another – have become the black beast Netflix in its expansion strategy, as they are in full gray area, neither illegal nor totally fair play . In a blog post, the vice president of the giant David Fullagar announcement to upgrade the detection of these famous intermediaries. With all the commercial good faith of the world:

“If all our content was available everywhere, there would be no reason that our members use proxies to trick our systems and make them believe they are located in another country. We are making progress in obtaining the contents of rights around the world and are now available in 190 countries. But there are steps before we offered the same catalog everywhere. “

And warns: ” In the coming weeks, those using these proxies can not access that service of their country. We look forward to offering all our catalog for all our customers to enjoy Netflix without using a proxy. That is the goal towards which we are moving. “

Still, to offer the latest Hollywood blockbusters in France, Netflix will have to fight against stronger than software: French law. Meanwhile, for the smart kids who use proxies, you are left with only a few weeks to enjoy The Office , Parks and Recreation or Hercules ( with The Rock) on the American catalog. If so, it’s worth it.