Netflix to stop blocking TV shows and movies across Europe as EU orders it to stop geo-fencing content
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Netflix will be required to open up its catalogues in Europe following a ruling from the European Parliament.
The online streaming service regularly uses "geo-fencing" to limit certain shows and films to certain geographical locations .
However, bosses in Europe have demanded the US-based technology company allow people to access their online media wherever they are on the continent.
It would mean that French viewers could watch their favourite French shows whether they are staying in Germany, Italy or Spain.
(Photo: Rex)
The decision comes only a few months after Netflix launched a crackdown on people using proxies to dupe the service into showing them content from other areas.
But the EU's new rule states that content providers (such as Netflix or Amazon) won't be allowed to use an IP address as a means of identification. Instead, they will have to ask for address information to serve the customer with their correct libraries and favourite shows.
European Union officials said they had made the decision after looking at the data around internet usage whilst travelling. They said that almost half of users access the internet to listen to music and watch films.
Whether the ruling means Netflix will relax its virtual borders regarding countries outside the EU - such as the USA - remains to be seen.