The EU is urging Netflix to lower users’ streaming quality to SD
The EU has requested that streaming sites like Netflix and Disney Plus stop allowing users to stream content in high definition.
The ongoing coronavirus situation has led to unprecedented usage of the platforms, and EU officials say that standard definition streams will reduce the strain on web infrastructure.
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Following an “important phone conversation” with Netflix CEO, Reed Hastings, the European Commissioner, Thierry Breton, sent out the tweet below. He called on people to stay at home and for streaming platforms to switch to standard definition.
Important phone conversation with @ReedHastings, CEO of @Netflix
To beat #COVID19, we #StayAtHome
Teleworking & streaming help a lot but infrastructures might be in strain.
To secure Internet access for all, let’s #SwitchToStandard definition when HD is not necessary.
— Thierry Breton (@ThierryBreton) March 18, 2020
A Netflix spokesperson told CNN Business: “Commissioner Breton is right to highlight the importance of ensuring that the internet continues to run smoothly during this critical time… We’ve been focused on network efficiency for many years, including providing our open connect service for free to telecommunications companies.”
Netflix also pointed out that it already adjusts the streaming quality available to users as standard, depending on network capacity.
Yesterday, we saw interesting evidence of the huge surge in streaming revealed by Atlas VPN. The company saw a massive increase in the usage of its service, as more and more people are forced to work from home or self-isolate.
Due to Italy’s particularly severe Covid-19 situation, Atlas VPN’s Italian traffic rose by 112% during the second week of March, compared to the previous week’s traffic figures. In the US, usage jumped by 56%, while Russia saw a 36% jump in use.
Take a look at the graph below.
Related: Bored with Netflix already? Relive the best retro British game shows instead
So, for the time being you may have to put up with a standard definition stream, but it’s for a good cause. We’re yet to see any huge negative effects of usage surges on streaming platforms. However, gaming platforms have struggled under new pressures.
Gamers saw Nintendo Online Services cut out for Switch h players yesterday, but everything has been fixed and players are currently back online.
Related: Best PS4 Games (March 2020)
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
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We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.