The phrase describes the state of affairs the place a consumer makes an attempt to entry Netflix content material from a area completely different than their registered dwelling nation, however the try is unsuccessful. This sometimes manifests as continued entry to the consumer’s dwelling nation’s content material library, regardless of utilizing strategies supposed to bypass geographical restrictions, corresponding to Digital Personal Networks (VPNs) or proxy servers. For instance, a consumer in France trying to view the US Netflix library would possibly as an alternative solely see the French Netflix choices.
The prevalence of this problem arises from Netflix’s licensing agreements, which range throughout completely different geographical places. Content material distributors usually grant Netflix permission to stream titles solely inside particular international locations or areas. Subsequently, Netflix employs measures to detect and block makes an attempt to avoid these restrictions. Efficiently doing so maintains its contractual obligations and prevents potential authorized repercussions. Traditionally, the aptitude of bypassing geo-restrictions fluctuated; nonetheless, Netflix’s detection mechanisms have develop into more and more refined over time.