Is it Legal to Use a VPN for Netflix?

Using a VPN for Netflix is perfectly legal, though it may not always work. Netflix has specific licensing agreements with series and movies, which means that it can only offer them to certain audiences, divided by country. It's not illegal to use a VPN for Netflix, but the streaming service has the right to ban your account if they detect it. However, it is still possible to circumvent the ban.

You should use a VPN that constantly renews your IP addresses and has specific streaming servers. Many VPN services have decided that the cat-and-mouse game they have to play to stay one step ahead of the Netflix ban simply isn't worth it. Netflix can block the IP addresses of a VPN service, but the provider can simply lease new IP addresses from the data centers that host its servers or from the Internet service providers (ISPs) and backbone providers that issue their IP addresses to those data centers. When streamers use a VPN, they can bypass geographical limitations and view the content anyway.

At the time, Netflix took a firm stance against VPN service providers because it was in their best interest to keep them happy. Nowadays, most VPN services won't let you beat them, regardless of the number of servers you switch between. First, if you're in a country that doesn't allow VPNs, such as China or Iraq, you may face fines and other legal proceedings. However, if you're in a region where VPN use is regulated or prohibited, you may face more serious consequences, such as a fine (or worse).

Rather than canceling accounts or banning users, Netflix simply makes it a little difficult to stream content through a VPN. But keep in mind that many streaming services can detect it and can block your access until you turn off the VPN. If the IP address of your VPN servers is not on that list, Netflix will take your apparent IP address at face value and stream content based on the location of your VPN server.

Coral Robertson
Coral Robertson

Unapologetic entrepreneur. Lifelong pop culture maven. Incurable coffee expert. Infuriatingly humble tv evangelist. General beer guru. Certified music practitioner.

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