Canada Bans Netflix, Disney+ on Federal Networks Over Concerns About Employee Streaming Habits
The Canadian government has implemented a sweeping ban on access to popular streaming services—including Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, Crave, Apple TV+, and Hulu—across all federal networks, citing concerns about excessive use by employees during work hours and the need to uphold professional standards across government departments.
The decision, enforced by Shared Services Canada (SSC), took effect in December 2024 and applies to more than 45 federal departments and agencies. The restriction covers both internal internet access and guest Wi-Fi in government buildings, effectively preventing public servants from accessing entertainment platforms on the job.
According to official statements, the streaming sites were deemed to offer “no business value” and were therefore not considered appropriate for use on government networks. But internal documents tell a more revealing story.
Access-to-information requests have shown that several departments were streaming terabytes worth of video content monthly. In one instance, Public Services and Procurement Canada streamed nearly 3 terabytes of video—an equivalent of roughly 3,000 hours—while the Privy Council Office reportedly used about 1.5 terabytes in the same timeframe.
The revelations raised eyebrows within the federal IT system and prompted concerns from senior officials about the optics of such behavior. Scott Jones, President of Shared Services Canada, emphasized that the issue was less about bandwidth or technical disruption and more about public trust and workplace discipline.
“Streaming services could be a distraction and could damage the public’s view of the federal workforce,” Jones stated.
While the technical impact of streaming was considered minimal, senior management feared that the growing trend could harm the image of the public service—especially as Canadians increasingly scrutinize government spending and workplace productivity, particularly in the age of hybrid and remote work.
The ban has not gone unnoticed among federal employees, some of whom voiced skepticism online. Several current and former public servants questioned the necessity of the ban, suggesting that the volume of streaming did not justify such a broad move. Others argued that departments already had the authority to manage internet access locally, and that this action may have been more symbolic than substantive.
Interestingly, social media platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) remain accessible on government networks. SSC justified this decision by stating that such platforms may still serve professional or communication-related functions, whereas subscription-based streaming services do not.
This isn’t the first time Canada has tightened digital controls in the federal workspace. Individual departments had previously imposed internal streaming bans at their discretion. However, this latest move centralizes the policy across government, making it uniform for all employees under SSC-managed infrastructure.
The federal ban also reflects broader efforts to align workplace behavior with public expectations, as scrutiny over how government time and resources are used continues to intensify.
As of now, no disciplinary measures tied directly to individual streaming habits have been reported. But the message from Ottawa is clear: Canadian public servants are expected to stay focused—and the days of watching Netflix at your desk are officially over.
