Netflix has announced that it will now crack down on the use of proxy servers to access “locked” content. In a post to the company’s blog on Thursday, January 14th, the streaming service revealed its plan to enforce regulations outlined in an April, 2015 update to the content giant’s “Terms and Conditions”. Proxy servers and VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) are commonly used to access digital content restricted in certain users’ areas by seeming to access, and Netflix has often arguably benefited from such circumvention. Nonetheless, pressure from Hollywood studios interested in protecting their copyrights and intellectual property spurred both the initial update and the recent public statement. The update granted Netflix authority to “terminate or restrict” any subscriber’s use of the service if they are found connecting through a known VPN provider and violating Netflix “geo-restrictions” on what content is available where. The recent announcement on the company’s blog indicates that Netflix fully intends to wield this power to protect its content suppliers’ licensing. Users of proxy servers could see their subscriptions suspended or cancelled without warning. Many members of the US military stationed abroad have already complained that the new commitment to restricting VPN use will prevent them from watching their favorite shows.NYUSH students may soon experience similar difficulties, as Netflix has yet to expand to China, necessitating VPN use to access the provider’s content. NYUSH’s school sanctioned VPN, Cisco AnyConnect is a well-known and oft-used VPN service, which means that it is already on Netflix’s radar. Though much could change in the coming weeks, NYUSH students may have to prepare for a life without Netflix.To many students, this may come as disheartening news. Without access to cable television in the dorms, Netflix has become one of the most popular ways to watch shows. Moreover, for many students from western countries, Netflix is a link to their home, their culture, and their previous life. Severing that link isn’t easy. “It’s frustrating, seeing as we don’t have any TV or ways to stream American TV shows that are, well, legal,” said freshman Claudia Dzaluk, who hinted that such a VPN ban might lead to more students pirating content as opposed to legally purchasing it. “While I can see where they’re coming from, it’s tough to see this decision in the short term not leading to more torrenting and online piracy” affirmed Robert Prast, also a freshman. Many foresee Netflix’s crackdown as the precursor to another international expansion. According to the company’s website, the network already has over 70 million members in 190 countries. Some predict that an eventual compromise with the Chinese government and a resolving conflicting interests in trademark laws will eventually allow some form of Netflix to be streamed in China without the need for VPNs. That development could come as soon as early 2017.The fate of many NYUSH students’ beloved pastime is, at any rate, up in the air. Netflix’s has long opposed VPN use to access its service, and has reserved the right for some time now to ban users for violating their terms of service. The initial April update brought with it the fears that Netflix would act promptly, but those concerns were allayed partially by Netflix’s reluctance to follow through on its stated position. Now, with the company’s reaffirmation of its principles, VPN-using Netflix subscribers across the globe anticipate subscription cancellation. For many NYUSH students, this may mean finding another hobby, or at least something else to do at 2 AM on a Tuesday. This article was written by Dillon Fournier. Please send an email to [email protected] to get in touch. Photo Credit: Arshaun Darabnia