[pkaye]

I'm guessing there was big US client demand for this otherwise what would be the benefit for Upwork for doing this? Perhaps clients getting spammed by those that don't meet their basic requirements.

[solonagathon]

Clients do get a ton of spam but there are better solutions than resorting to xenophobia.

From my experience as a client, 90% of the spam proposals are copy-pasted so they could simply filter them out.

They could also reduce 'connects' (freelancers have a maximum amount of points they can use to apply for jobs. You can buy more points).

[pkaye]

Spam filter seems like it might help. If you are an user of that website you should suggest it.