Internet video streaming service providers are backing away from criticism that has been leveled against them in the search for better and more secure access.

Providers such as Netflix and Hulu (among others) have in the past blocked IP addresses that have come from non-U.S. servers with the explanation that they didn’t have rights to broadcast in many other countries. The major problem with that explanation is that a majority of the people who were accessing those companies’ services from abroad were domestic customers who were simply traveling outside of the United States.

So, Netflix and Hulu are now working to block certain blocks of IP addresses that they felt belonged to VPN services, which sparked outrage from the different providers and major criticism from the world of tech journalism. TorrentFreak reported on January 3rd that Netflix was beginning to crack down on certain providers. That news story has had over 400 comments as of today with people that aren’t pleased with Netflix recent decision.

Now, CNet has reported that Netflix is stating that it has never employed a policy of cracking down on people who’ve used VPN services to access their service while in another country. Netflix officials provided a recent statement where they did admit to blacklisting some VPNs, but only “in accordance with content contracts.”

“The reality is we blacklist known VPNs in accordance with our content contracts — Foxtel, for example, owns House of Cards in Australia, so they want us to block VPN usage. But we are not changing our policy. It remains the same as it ever was,” said a company rep during a press conference.

Whether that’s true or just a bit of reactionary public relations, it’s still a better time than ever to sign up for a premium VPN provider, because the reality is clear: services such as VPN Zoom are the way forward for privacy and security online. They’re not just for Netflix anymore; they’re for every day browsing.

And to be sure, whether or not Netflix (and others) try to block VPNs in the future, VPN services like ours will remain diligent in finding workarounds to get you where you want to surf.