Netflix And Travel: EU Looks To Finalize Rule On Online Service Access

The European Parliament is considering legislation that will allow people from EU-member countries to access their online services, no matter what country they are in.

This would mean users would be able to access online services, like Netflix, music and video libraries, broadcasts and games from their home countries elsewhere in the EU, the Independent reported Monday. Gaining access to services like Netflix has been difficult because of restrictions on proxy servers or virtual private networks, which give users access on private networks.

The legislation would also prevent content providers from identifying users’ locations through IP addresses, the British news outlet reported. Instead, the service providers would have alternative options for taking “reasonable and proportionate measures” to eliminate unauthorized use.

The EU cited travel and internet usage as the reason behind the change to give travelers access to their online services.

After Netflix expanded globally, moving into more than 190 countries, the streaming company announced in early 2016 the service would be "cracking down" on proxy users so they would only be able to access the content available in their own country. Public outcry swiftly followed the announcement since Netflix libraries in some countries are less robust.

“This agreement is a first step towards modernizing copyright rules in the EU, and comes after the abolition of roaming charges for mobile phones came into effect last year,” Brian Hayes, a member of the European Parliament, said of the new EU rules, the Journal reported. “While this agreement still must be formally approved, this is another step towards breaking down barriers in the single market of 500 million people and good news for people traveling to other EU countries on business, holidays or to study.”

Before the legislation can be passed, it still has to be approved by the Legal Affairs Committee, the European Council and the Parliament, the Independent said.