If you often find yourself traveling then you may have noticed that sometimes, you can’t access your favorite show or even apps you frequently use. Netflix isn’t available in Russia and WhatsApp can’t be used in China. If you rely on being able to access content, then this can pose several issues.
How Geoblocking Affects Travelers
As a traveler, you may wonder why sites geo-block content. It’s not to be purposely inconvenient, and most of the time it comes down to financial feasibility. Content providers rely on flexibility, and certain types of content may have a sparse followership. Geoblocks allows content providers to negotiate licensing and advertising agreements so that they can pivot between different business models in different regions.
If you have ever signed up with an online casino for real money, you may notice that in one country, you can access the games and account with ease. When traveling to another country, however, you may be able to access the same games, but not through the same site. This can create a few problems for travelers, as you won’t be able to access your winnings or resume your game progress. Luckily, there’s a fine workaround. VPNs are a solid way to access the content you want, even if it’s geo-blocked. The best thing about using a VPN is that it also provides you with a level of security, as your data will be encrypted. This is great if you’re using Wi-Fi access points that might not be as secure as you’d like.
Delving Deeper into Geoblocking
It’s not just the content and entertainment sector that is impacted by geo-blocking either. Certain stores limit sales to particular areas. A lot of this is done to reflect the price of living. The cost of living is higher in the US than in Thailand for example. As a result of this, sites may structure their sales differently, or offer much cheaper prices to compensate for economic variance. Although it’s not illegal to use a geoblock to access a sale, travelers will have to use an address that correlates to the location of the sale, or products won’t be delivered.
Other examples of geoblocking include communication apps. Some countries have blocked the use of popular messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, which makes it difficult for travelers to keep in touch with friends and family. Although there are alternatives available, using a new app disrupts conversations and when leaving the country, you might not be able to access the new app at all. VPNs also help in situations like this, as they allow you to change the location of your geographical address through a virtual server.
Travelers may come across issues with geo-blocking when globetrotting, but there’s usually always a workaround. By taking the time to assess the options you have in regards to VPNs, it becomes easier to not only access the apps you want but to also keep up to date with your latest shows on Netflix and even your Spotify playlists.