Netflix was founded almost 25 years ago, the company has removed nine titles from its service around the world in compliance with government demands, including Night of the Living Dead in Germany and Full Metal Jacket in Vietnam.
Netflix laid out the nine takedowns it’s received from various companies relating to certain parts of its film and television catalog in a new environmental social governance report, first spotted by Axios.
Netflix removes an item if it receives a written government takedown demand and can’t otherwise reach an agreement with authorities, as it wants to abide by local laws. However, it does fight those takedown requests. It took Brazil to court over one related to The First Temptation of Christ, a satire that depicts Jesus as a gay man. The nation’s Supreme Court ruled in Netflix’s favor last month, allowing it to keep the movie in its streaming library there.
The takedowns Netflix listed include:
• In 2015, Netflix complied with the New Zealand Film and Video Labeling Body to remove The Bridge. The film is classified as “objectionable” in the country.
• In 2017, Netflix complied with Vietnamese Authority of Broadcasting and Electronic Information (ABEI) to remove Full Metal Jacket.
• In 2017, Netflix complied with the German Commission for Youth Protection (KJM) to remove Night of the Living Dead. A version of the film is also banned in the country.
• In 2018, Netflix complied with the Singapore Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) to remove Cooking on High, The Legend of 420, and Disjointed from the service in Singapore only.
• In 2019, Netflix complied with the Saudi Communication and Information Technology Commission to remove one episode — “Saudi Arabia” — from Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj.
• In 2019, Netflix complied with the Singapore Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) to remove The Last Temptation of Christ.
• In 2020, Netflix complied with the Singapore Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) to remove The Last Hangover.
Netflix laid out the requests and its compliance with them in an environmental, social and governance report, which it will publish once a year. The report also covers Netflix’s environmental impact and energy use, as well as diversity in terms of its workforce and output.
