Geo-restriction or geo-blocking limits user access to specific content based on geographic location. Geo-restrictions typically apply to streaming platforms that provide access to content that comes from different companies.
Governments apply geo-restrictions in order to prohibit their citizens from accessing certain online services or websites.
Reasons why geo-blocking exists:
- Illegal content
- Censorship
- Irrelevant content
- Copyright licensing issues
- To control malicious traffic
Can You Bypass Geo-Blocking Legally?
While it is possible to bypass digital surveillance, it’s hard to pinpoint the legality of taking such action. It all depends on the country in question. For instance, it’s illegal to enforce certain geo-restrictions in the European Union. Plus, companies can’t create advertisements that target consumers based on their geographical location.
But Netflix, Hulu, and similar streaming platforms say that bypassing geo-restrictions is a form of copyright infringement and goes against licensing regulations. That’s why it’s difficult to stream certain content whether you’re watching it from your laptop, Firestick or Fire TV Stick device. If it’s blocked for your region, you won’t be able to watch it.
Geo-Blocking and Censorship
According to Internet activists, geo-blocking of all kinds can be considered discrimination. That’s because technically, the Internet is there to allow for free information flow. So limiting access to certain content is a form of censorship.
The truth of the latter statement becomes apparent when governments try to silence certain “politically incorrect” views through geo-restrictions.
The most disconcerting part about this whole issue is that geo-restrictions aren’t just being applied by oppressive governments. There’s an increasing number of seemingly progressive countries that are also applying geo-restrictions. In fact, research from the University of Cambridge shows that state-sponsored censorship exists in over 60 countries worldwide. That’s why it’s important now more than ever, to learn how to bypass online surveillance.
How to Bypass Geo-Blocking and Digital Surveillance?
The good news is you can bypass digital surveillance and avoid geo-restrictions using certain tools and methods. Installing a VPN is by far the easiest way to access the web untethered by geo-restrictions because it allows you to surf the Internet through a different location. This means that if you live in a country that applies geo-restrictions you can select a location where such restrictions don’t apply and enjoy the Internet freely.
Virtual private networks, or VPNs for short, enable the user to access the Internet through a virtual tunnel. A VPN like IPVanish will also encrypt your data before it even leaves the device so your identity and your information can stay hidden.
IPVanish hides your real IP address and replaces it with another one based on the location you choose. For example, if you want to access Facebook in China where this social network is blocked, you can choose a VPN server in New York, USA. To the Facebook website, it’ll seem as though you’re accessing the web from the USA, whereas you’re actually connecting from China.
VPN allow the user to bypass digital surveillance and government censorship in order to enjoy the Internet more freely.
How to Enjoy Unrestricted Internet
Just follow these simple steps and enjoy real Internet freedom.
- Go to the IPVanish website, choose a plan and sign up for an account
- Download IPVanish and sign in
- Select a virtual location of your choice
- Surf the web freely
Share your thoughts on digital surveillance below and let us know if you’ve ever experienced it!
