November 21, 2024
Cited article by TRT World
HRRC strongly opposes digital inequality caused by practices like geo-blocking which limit access to online content and services based on a person’s location. HRRC highlights that a fair and inclusive digital world should ensure equal access to resources and knowledge for everyone, regardless of where they live.
News Brief
Last week, a joint investigation by the European Commission and the Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) Network issued a warning to Apple, urging the company to stop its geo-blocking practices—a method that restricts access to online content or services based on users’ location. Apple isn’t the only tech company raising questions over geo-blocking. From Google to Netflix, other major platforms have also applied that practice.
Natasha Tusikov, an associate professor at York University, defines geo-blocking as a technology that restricts access to digital content or services based on a user's location. Major streaming platforms like Netflix have long restricted content libraries, tailoring what users can watch based on their location. This practice isn’t limited to video streaming; Spotify’s music library changes from one country to another. While the European Union’s (EU) Geo-blocking Regulation serves as an equal mechanism for promoting digital equality within Europe, other regions have yet to implement similar measures. Tusikov highlights the contrast with other countries, pointing out that while the EU members hold companies accountable, others fall short.