Geo-Blocking and Geo-Restrictions: Why Do They Even Exist Today?

Nowadays, there’s a plethora of content being streamed online. However, you may not be able to access some or all of it based on where you are in the world. If you think this is the stupidest thing ever, you’re most certainly right. Unfortunately, it’s is what it is and the main reason you cannot access some platforms or specific content is that geo-blocking and geo-restrictions exist today. 

Why do they exist? Money, of course. That said, people tend to get around these restrictions by simply using a VPN (Virtual Private Network). Therefore, if you can’t access some content because you’re from Japan, you can always check out Vpnetic.com recommendation for Japan, for instance. 

If you’re wondering whether or not it’s illegal to bypass these restrictions, it’s actually not. It does go against company rules – the company that owns the content or a platform – though, which may result in the suspension of your account but it won’t as long as you are a paying customer. With that in mind, let’s have a look at why geo-blocking and restrictions even exist today.

What are Geo-blocking and Geo-restrictions?

Geo-blocking is often used to comply with copyright, internet censorship, and licensing agreements. For example, if a movie is only licensed for release in certain countries, geo-blocking can be used to prevent users in other countries from accessing it. 

Geo-restriction, on the other hand, prevents you from accessing content available on a platform, for instance, even though you’re a paying customer, just because that content is not available in your country. Geo-blocking can also be used to enforce censorship laws. Some countries have enacted laws that require ISPs to block access to certain websites. In these cases, geo-blocking is used to prevent users from accessing banned content.

How do Geo-blocking and Geo-restrictions Work?

Geo-blocking is the practice of restricting access to content based on a user’s geographic location. Geo-restrictions are enforced by using either IP addresses or GPS data to determine where a user is located. If a user tries to access content that is not available in their region, they will be blocked from doing so. 

Geo-blocking is often used to comply with copyright and licensing agreements. For example, a movie that is only licensed for release in the United States cannot be legally viewed in other countries. Similarly, some streaming services like Netflix only have the rights to stream certain shows and movies in certain regions. 

Geo-restrictions can also be used to enforce government regulations. For example, China has strict censorship laws that block access to many websites and online services that are available in other countries. 

How to Bypass Geo-Blocks and Geo-Restrictions

There are a number of reasons why websites and online services might use geo-blocking or geo-restrictions. In some cases, it might be due to licensing agreements – the website might only have the rights to show certain content in certain countries. In other cases, it might be because the website wants to target a specific audience (such as only showing ads to people in a particular country) based on supply and demand. 

Whatever the reason, if you find yourself being geo-blocking or geo-restrictions, there are a few ways you can bypass these restrictions. One option is to use a VPN (Virtual Private Network). A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a server in another location. This makes it appear as if you’re accessing the internet from that other location – which means you can bypass any geo-block or geo-restrictions that are in place. 

Another option is to use a proxy server. A proxy server is similar to a VPN in that it routes your traffic through another server. However, unlike a VPN, a proxy server doesn’t encrypt your traffic – which means it’s not quite as secure. 

Finally, you can also use “smart DNS” services. These services don’t route your traffic through another server – instead, they simply change your DNS settings so that it appears as if you’re accessing the internet from another location. This can be an easy way to bypass geo-blocks and geo-restrictions without having to install any extra software on your device.

Geo-blocking and geo-restrictions are quite a nuisance. Even if you’re paying for a service or content it may not be available to you because of some silly censorship and licensing deals. Now, the very same companies that insist on these restrictions are wondering why people unsubscribe and turn to piracy or why their stocks keep going under. Go figure.