AfterDawn: Tech news

Popcorn Time spin-off anonymizes users with VPN

Written by James Delahunty @ 07 Jun 2014 6:40 User comments (7)

Popcorn Time spin-off anonymizes users with VPN

One of the spin-offs of the popular Popcorn Time application is adding a free VPN service to anonymize users to avoid copyright infringement allegations.
The original Popcorn Time was like a free Netflix powered by BitTorrent technology. While it was a hit with users right away, it didn't last all that long.

This is the Internet though, so plenty of spin-offs came along and users embraced them. It wasn't long until users started to be identified as sharing copyright infringing material, with some users in Germany being fined.

One of the spin-offs of Popcorn Time is aware of this risk and is taking steps to remedy it. Time4Popcorn is adding a feature that will anonymize users of the application behind a VPN. The VPN will be available to use for free.

This is made possible by the cooperation of VPN provider Kebrum, which claims to have more than enough resources to handle the demand.

"From our experience and the expected usage stats provided by Popcorn Time, we believe that the resources we allocated for Popcorn Time users should be enough in order to give a good and fast download experience. Our servers are prepared to handle the traffic," Kebrum's 'Martin', told TorrentFreak.



"We believe Popcorn Time is the revolution that will change the entertainment industry forever. And now, with our help, Popcorn Time can do for the world of internet anonymity the same as they will do for the world of entertainment."

The VPN functionality is already available in the 4.2 Alpha release, and can be enabled by simply clicking a Lock icon.

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7 user comments

19.6.2014 03:58

Weird, the links I've managed to follow take me to what seems Popcorn Time.... even the Alpha 4.2 link.

http://www.time4popcorn.eu/alpha.html

There does not seem to be an Android version of Alpha 4.2 yet.

214.6.2014 09:25

I thought it was odd as well, Jem...however it IS working, so I'm not complaining...lol :)

314.6.2014 22:23

Originally posted by sternrulez:
I thought it was odd as well, Jem...however it IS working, so I'm not complaining...lol :)
Are you trying out the anonymizing feature? Is it only for PC... I want to try it on the OUYA (android)?

416.6.2014 08:04

Honestly I haven't had much time to play with it over the weekend. I will certainly do that today and let you know. Yes you're correct...I saw the VPN option isn't available on my phone...says it's coming soon.

516.6.2014 23:20

Thanks man.

618.6.2014 08:26

Well, here's the deal...using the 'locked' VPN option on the top, The download speed is minimal...if at all. I let it run for over an hour the other day, and it never got past 19%. As a test I tried the same file without their VPN and it loaded right up, so as it stands the VPN is crap at this time. Boy, I never thought I'd see a VPN slower than my work VPN...lol! :)

718.6.2014 10:06

Heh, shame.

Cheers.

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