Canada bans Netflix after employees caught binge-watching at work

Canada bans Netflix on federal networks after employees streamed terabytes of content during office hours.

The Canadian government has banned Netflix, Prime Video, and other major streaming platforms from federal networks after discovering widespread misuse of work time by employees.

The decision follows reports that government workers streamed terabytes of video content during office hours across 45 departments.

Documents obtained by a state broadcaster revealed that employees at Public Services and Procurement Canada alone generated nearly 3 terabytes of monthly streaming traffic — equivalent to 3,000 hours of standard-definition video. Other departments, including the Privy Council Office, Global Affairs Canada, and the Canada Revenue Agency, also logged significant streaming activity.

Shared Services Canada (SSC), the federal agency managing IT services, implemented the block in December 2024. Initially citing a lack of “business value,” internal memos now indicate the real motivation was concern over productivity, not bandwidth limitations.

Even the federal government’s guest Wi-Fi saw nearly 10 terabytes of streaming in a single month. Departments such as the Treasury Board Secretariat, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and Crown-Indigenous Relations were among the top users.

Despite the enormous volume of content streamed, internal assessments showed that the government’s network was not overwhelmed. Officials viewed the issue as a “people management” problem — with employees spending excessive work time watching shows and movies.

The streaming ban, which includes services like Disney+, Apple TV+, and Hulu, has not sparked major public criticism but raises broader concerns about digital habits in the workplace. The move reflects a growing focus on accountability and productivity in federal institutions, especially in an era where remote and hybrid work models continue to evolve.

Further audits and policy reviews may follow as the government evaluates how to enforce digital discipline on the job.