Region-Locked Content Drives UK Users To Try a VPN (itproportal.com)

An anonymous reader writes: A new report has revealed that VPN usage in the UK has increased with almost one in six people now using a VPN alongside their internet connection. According to YouGov's 'Incognito Individual' report, 16 percent of British adults have used either a VPN or proxy server. This up-tick in users trying a VPN was often the direct result of trying access region-locked content or websites. Of those surveyed, 48 percent of respondents admitted to using a VPN or a proxy to access content they would otherwise be unable to view. VPNs are often used by security conscious individuals who are concerned with their privacy and not having their browsing data logged. YouGov's report found that 44 percent of VPN users utilised such a service for better security and that 37 percent did so for improved privacy.

Comments

Re: Re

[Anonymous Coward]

Region locking is often because a worldwide distribution of content may be impractical in many cases. Acceptable content in movies, for example, is quite a bit different in the United States as opposed to Europe. A studio may well need to release two versions of a movie, one in North America, and one in Europe, so they comply with the laws of both places. Naturally this extends online, too, for businesses that operate in many countries. An American studio with offices in Europe has to ensure that they're not distributing content to Europe that doesn't comply with their laws. Generally speaking, speech is far more restricted in Europe than in the US, because leftist regimes there have tried to limit free thought and expression. If you want to get rid of region locking, make it easier to release content worldwide, and oppose leftist censorship.

- snruter rotsac