Streaming services such as Netflix and YouTube may be ordered to reduce maximum streaming quality to meet the increased demand caused by the coronavirus outbreak.

This is due to a request by the European Union, as reported in the Financial Times (via MacRumors), considering the huge demand on the continent's broadband networks caused by the spread of the disease and people staying home to avoid infection

This statement is based on a request by the European Union (EU).

The statement comes from Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for Digital Policy. He is quoted by the FT as saying that streaming services and ISPs "have a joint responsibility to take steps to ensure the smooth functioning of the Internet."

Netflix commented on the story, saying that it has already implemented measures to mitigate Internet traffic, including local server storage and an "adaptive streaming" system that adjusts the quality of service according to available bandwidth. [In a statement to the FT, Netflix said, "Commissioner Breton is right to stress the importance of keeping the Internet running smoothly at this critical time."

"We have been focused on network efficiency for many years, offering our Open Connect service free of charge to telecommunications companies.

YouTube did not respond to the Financial Times' request for comment.

The FT reports that demand for other services, such as calls through messaging apps WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, is also increasing.

This is the opposite reaction to what U.S. broadband providers have been doing, with companies removing data caps to deal with users who need much more Internet access than before. The U.S. government also allowed Verizon, AT&T, and US Cellular to use additional bandwidth on their mobile networks to meet demand.