X

VPN blocking, Net neutrality knocking and 'sleazy' pirates rocking (Girt by CNET podcast 24)

HBO Now says "no thanks" to paying Aussies, the spectre of net neutrality looms in Australia and Village Roadshow asks "won't somebody think of the children" when it comes to piracy.

Nic Healey Senior Editor / Australia
Nic Healey is a Senior Editor with CNET, based in the Australia office. His passions include bourbon, video games and boring strangers with photos of his cat.
See full bio
Nic Healey
2 min read

In last week's Girt by CNET we pondered whether Aussie VPN users might get caught up in the proposed site blocking legislation. Well, while the Government hasn't cracked down on VPNs yet, HBO has, sending letters to suspected Australian users of the HBO Now service letting them know they'll be denied access if it turns out they're using a VPN to pretend to be in the US.

On a similar note, the Sony Wiki-Leaked emails continue to be the gift that keep giving, with internal communication showing that Sony pressured Netflix to give its VPN users the flick.

The horror of net neutrality also popped its head over the digital fence to say "hi" to Australia this week. Optus CEO Allan Lew floated the idea that services like Netflix might way to pay for 'premium' access to the Optus infrastructure. But it's okay -- Optus still supports net neutrality, apparently. Somehow.

Village Roadshow Co-CEO, Co-Chairman and self-identified "champion of Australian filmed entertainment" Graham Burke showed his usual flare for rhetoric in the company's submission on the proposed site blocking legislation, warning that pirate sites are a "sleazy neighbourhood which our children go to and they are selling hardcore pornography and scams such as party pills and steroids." Indeed.

Finally, the new Microsoft Surface 3 is here -- lighter, smaller and cheaper than the Pro. It's a smart offering from Microsoft and there's a lot to like about it.

Podcast

Subscribe to Girt by CNET

iTunes (MP3)
RSS (MP3)

Want to know more?

VPN Blocks

Optus, Netflix and 'premium' service

Pirates and Australia's children

Surface 3