I’m currently traveling internationally. A couple of times I’ve tried to use apps on my phone to watch video (TV) content.

One app, which has content licensed for different countries, displayed a message when I opened it that “It looks like you’re traveling, some of the content may be different here.”

Another app, which only has content licensed for the country where I live, greeted me with the message “[app name] does not work in this country.” And then I was unable to do anything in the app.

I’d opened the second app because I’d remembered a new episode of a show I wanted to watch was out and so wanted to add it to my “Watch list” for when I got home. But it wouldn’t let me.

I understand that content licensing restrictions are complicated. But do they really need to prevent me even seeing what content is available (in the licensed territory)? And as a customer of the app, can I not access and update the data related to me while I’m traveling?

It felt frustrating and arbitrarily restrictive.

What are the lessons?

  • Rather than simply enforce restrictions in the simplest way possible, ask: what can be done within the constraints of the restrictions to give the best experience possible.