What is Geoblocking (geographical blocking)? AT Internet's definition (2024)

FAQs

What is the meaning of geoblocking? ›

Geoblocking is a practice of restricting access to content (website, video, service…) depending on the geographical location of the user. The IP address of the device used determines the country of use and, by extension, the authorisation or denial of access.

The main goal of geoblocking is to block access to sensitive data. For example, governments would not want their data to be accessed by other countries or any hackers as such. Another reason is to limit access to premium services. Generally, most restrictions are done due to copyright protection.

Yes, geo-blocking is a legal practice that helps uphold copyright laws and licensing agreements. Different entities may own the rights to restricted online content in different countries or regions, which means these content owners can only sell or distribute the content in their designated jurisdiction.

Geo-blocking regulations prohibit geo-blocking and geo-discrimination in three situations: It is not permitted to deny website visitors access to it or automatically redirect them to another website depending on their location. Redirection is only allowed with the consent of the visitor.

How can I bypass geo-blocking? A VPN, like ExpressVPN, SurfShark and NordVPN, can allow you to bypass geo-blocking wherever you are. VPNs can disguise your IP address to make it look like it's coming from another country or region.

A “block”, at least in geographical terms, refers to the area of land between streets. In the below image, the red rectangles represent the “blocks” of land, and the blue lines are the grid of streets around the blocks. Image source: Google Maps.

Google Chrome

Select Chrome's Main Menu button, marked by three vertically aligned dots. It's located in the upper right corner of the browser. Select Settings > Advanced > Privacy and security > Site Settings > Location. Move the Ask before accessing (recommended) slider to toggle it on or off.

First, check that your phone has location enabled. Go to Settings -> Connections -> Location and enable if necessary. Check the "Blocked" and "Allowed" lists by tapping them.

1. Unblock websites using a VPN. Using a VPN is one of the easiest and most reliable ways to get around content blocks and unlock the URLs you want. A VPN (virtual private network) routes your internet traffic through a remote server, letting you choose your virtual location.

VPN (Virtual Private Network)

A VPN is the most popular and easiest tool for bypassing geoblocking. It routes your IP through a server in a different region and masks your real IP address with one from the server's location. This makes it appear as though you are accessing the internet from a different country.

How do I watch something that is geo blocked? ›

You can bypass geo-blocks by changing your IP address to the location where the website or the app you want to access is available. The most effective methods of overcoming geo-restrictions are: Using a VPN service (we recommend NordVPN) Connect through a free web proxy.

In the United States and many other countries worldwide, using a VPN is not illegal. However, if you're committing a crime while using a VPN, you're still committing the crime, just while connected to a VPN. Using a VPN for streaming is not illegal unless you're illegally accessing the content you're streaming.

One of the easiest ways to unblock websites is with a public web proxy. It may not be as fast or secure as a VPN, but a public web proxy is a good option when you use public PCs that don't let you install a VPN. Proxies hide your IP address and route your internet traffic through different public servers.

Can you watch Netflix in other countries? No matter where your account is registered, you can watch Netflix in any of the 190 countries (and counting) where the streaming giant operates. That means that almost anywhere in the world, all you have to do is log in to access Netflix's local catalog of TV shows and movies.

Movie and series streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Peaco*ck, Max, and Amazon Prime, often restrict access to specific shows and music based on geographical location, driven by licensing agreements. For instance, a show available on Netflix in the U.S. might not be accessible to viewers in Europe or Asia.

Geoblocking is the way platforms/websites block or restrict access to content and services based on your location. Since the service intending to block you doesn't know your location by default, they can use one or several technological means to find it out.

These are all examples of geo-blocking: the practice of restricting content access based on geographic location. Most familiar in the context of media streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu, geo-blocking spans across various online platforms.

Geoblocking helps protect copyrights by ensuring that only viewers in authorized regions can access the content. This is important as it helps prevent the illegal distribution and viewing of copyrighted material, which can significantly impact the revenue and reputation of content creators and distributors.