Is it illegal to stream Netflix with a VPN in Canada?

The company was founded by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph in 1997 in California and started the business by renting out DVDs. In 2007, the company started its venture into the video-on-demand streaming service business.

Currently, Netflix can be watched on Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, Android tablet, iPad, digital media players, Blu-ray Disc Players, and video games consoles. In addition, you can access Netflix online through a browser or view it on its application.

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But like every other streaming service, Netflix also puts up geo-restrictions on its content catalog. So depending on your actual location, you will be presented with a selected collection of TV shows and movies that can only be viewed from your geographic location.

For example, people residing in Canada will only enjoy 50% of TV shows and movies available to viewers in the United States. But don't worry, there is a very simple solution for bypassing the content geo-restrictions called a virtual private network.

Unfortunately, not every VPN provider is fit for this job, and only a reliable VPN provider like ExpressVPN can allow our Canadian viewers to access the Netflix US catalog. ExpressVPN works with Netflix in Canada, US Netflix, France Netflix, UK Netflix, or any other region Netflix.

But a question arises, is using a VPN to stream Netflix in Canada illegal? We try to find out the answer to that and much more in today's article.

Is using a VPN to stream Netflix in Canada illegal?

No, it is not illegal to stream Netflix in Canada with a VPN. However, it is quite easy to get confused between watching something on Netflix with a VPN and accessing not properly licensed content.

The difference between streaming copyrighted content and watching something on Netflix with a VPN is that the service provider already purchases the content in the case of VPN. Therefore, you are not seeing anything which Netflix does not already license.

You'll be just switching your actual IP address and accessing a different content already licensed by the provider for a different region. So it is completely different from accessing something that is completely unlicensed over the internet.

For example, you are in Canada, and there's a show on Netflix that is currently viewable to audiences in the United States. In this case, you can connect a VPN to access that particular show in Canada.

Some people may think it is equivalent to stealing, but you are not violating any copyright infringement law since you have already paid your Netflix subscription charges.

So we have already established that by using a VPN for Netflix in Canada, you aren't breaking any national or international copyright laws, but what about Netflix's terms and conditions.

Using a virtual private network to access Netflix does violate the service provider's terms and conditions. Netflix even reserves the right to disable the accounts of anyone that is found guilty of violating its terms and conditions. However, such a type of Netflix termination has never been reported.

If you think about it, then it wouldn't be a bad move. By not banning your account, Netflix has successfully managed to keep your subscribers and prevent you from going towards the other streaming services.

How often do people use VPN for Netflix in Canada?

The majority of the VPN users use the service to gain unlimited, unrestricted, and uninterrupted access to unblock geo-blocked streaming services.

According to a study done, about 44% of VPN users use VPN every day. In other words, half of the streaming VPN users never turn off their VPN service.

While it is still difficult to determine how much unblocking these users are carrying out each day, the fact remains that most people have no issue using a VPN daily.

What to look for in a VPN for Netflix in Canada?

There are tons of VPN providers out there. Unfortunately, not every VPN provider possesses the ability to unblock Netflix in Canada.

So we decided to list down a few pointers that you should consider while looking for a VPN for Netflix in Canada.

1. Speed

Make sure that your selected VPN provider can offer lightning-fast VPN connection speed for Ultra HD and 4K Ultra HD video streaming.

1. Server Network

A large or comprehensive server network ensures that you will be able to bypass your desired geographic restrictions. Make sure that your VPN provider has servers located in almost every major country or city worldwide.

1. Streaming Specific Servers

All the top-tier VPN providers nowadays offer specific servers that are optimized for streaming purposes. This way, they can guarantee endless and reliable access to Netflix and other major streaming services.

1. Compatibility

Make sure that your trusted VPN provider is compatible with almost all of the major operating systems and devices so that you can enjoy Netflix streaming on any one of them.

Jessica Tanner

Update 17 September 2021