Wikipedia talk:IP block exemption

Archives:

• /Archive 1 - policy creation up to enabling of IPEXEMPT, May 2008.
• /Archive 2 - Pages archived between May 2008 to March 2014
• /Archive 3 - Pages archived between March 2014 to -

Does it have to come through Unblock Ticket Request System?

I received a private message request for an urgent-ish temporary IP block exemption for an event that is taking place today in an African country from a user that I completely trust. (IP blocks of open proxies that prevent too many good-faith users from editing are common in African countries, as some administrators and stewards know.)

Can I IAR and just use my sysop rights to grant one account this right for several hours? Or does it absolutely, strictly have to come through the Unblock Ticket Request System? Amir E. Aharoni (talk) 11:54, 29 January 2022 (UTC)

@Amire80: no, if you strongly trust the user just do it. Set the expiration up to a year. — xaosflux ^Talk 12:22, 29 January 2022 (UTC)

Thanks! :) Amir E. Aharoni (talk) 12:23, 29 January 2022 (UTC)

@Amire80: This is also about if the user also trusts you and can give you details of their block that you can check in to. We don't normally want to encourage users to share things like their autoblock details publicly for their privacy. — xaosflux ^Talk 12:25, 29 January 2022 (UTC)

Are Apple's privacy services going to increase the frequency of these requests?

Sunray is currently facing an IP block which they link to Apple Private Relay. I have no trouble editing Wikipedia from my Mac, but a major US pizza chain blocks my connections. Are Apple's privacy features going to lead to an increase in requests for IP block exemption? —C.Fred (talk) 15:52, 8 May 2022 (UTC)

"Apple Private Relay" is an opt-in VPN, users can just not use it. — xaosflux ^Talk 16:06, 8 May 2022 (UTC)

Unblock San Diego library for a wiki event?

The San Diego Public Library says they are permanently blocked from editing but want to get ready for an event Date: June 28th, 2022 (Tuesday) Time: 6-8pm Pacific Time.

• Ticket:2022041010000119
• Wikipedia:Administrators'_noticeboard/Archive342#Getting_a_blanket_IP_ban_lifted_temporarily_(extremely_temporarily)_for_edit-a-thons

They have not shared their IP address range. Perhaps they need further instructions. SDPLPauline made the request.

What should this user do to present this event? @RightCowLeftCoast: I know you often support events in this city.

Bluerasberry (talk) 18:53, 20 May 2022 (UTC)

Ping TheresNoTime who responded on-wiki last time. I don't want to sound repetitive, but the key really is to determine which IP addresses are being affected (preferably all of the affected addresses). Admins can (usually) easily temporarily lift a block to enable account creation, or grant block exemptions to accounts, at relatively short notice. Checkusers can take a more detailed look at more lasting solutions. System admins can lift account creation limits. More info at Wikipedia:How to run an edit-a-thon. Personally I would ask about this on-wiki where possible, establish some admin connections, and not rely too much on VRT. If they're willing to disclose IP addresses publicly and nothing else has been done, the request can be posted at WP:AN or WP:ANI some time before the event (I would suggest a day or two before). -- zzuuzz ^(talk) 19:57, 20 May 2022 (UTC)

Hello, when I initially asked on-wiki, I was told to send an email instead. I sent the admins the ip addresses on April 9th. I received a reply and sent them further requested information about the dates I planned to hold the edit-a-thon. I have received no other emails from admins in over a month. I sent one follow-up e-mail on the April 25th and received no reply. I decided to wait it out awhile longer as I know some ticket systems reset your queue priority if you reply back. I can disclose these IP addresses publicly if necessary, but I want to stress that I have been attempting to follow the instructions I was given. If these IP addresses were not enough, that has not been communicated to me. SDPLPauline (talk) 16:20, 21 May 2022 (UTC)

Maybe Bluerasberry has their information crossed. Personally I don't have access to the ticket system so can't say what's going there, and that's why I recommend doing stuff on-wiki, or directly with an admin, where possible. If Bluerasberry has the date right there's another month to go before this needs properly addressing, so there's no need to panic. If the ticket system doesn't sort it out, we can sort it out on wiki. You can add me to your list of admin friends to mither closer to the time (although around that particular date I will need at least a few days notice). -- zzuuzz ^(talk) 16:44, 21 May 2022 (UTC)

@Bluerasberry@SDPLPauline if you use the Program and Events Dashbaord, that should take care of the account creation problems. I checked the IP in the VTRS ticket, it is only softblocked - so having accounts should get past it. — xaosflux ^Talk 17:22, 21 May 2022 (UTC)

@Xaosflux: The issue is phab:T189362. The range is softblocked, but with ACB set nobody can create accounts while using that range, regardless of whether they're logged in or not (even with IPBE, accountcreator, sysop, etc - I've personally tripped over this while working at ACC). They'd have to come in on a completely different connection to create accounts. I admit to being rather unfamiliar with PED, but unless it does a complete end-run around the rangeblock I don't think that addresses the issue. ‑‑ElHef (Meep?) 18:33, 21 May 2022 (UTC)

It's also a an outreach type event for encouraging new users, not established ones. While I've provided instructions for registrants to create an account beforehand, we often have patrons that do not have access to a computer or internet at home. We also have patrons that forget things, who have varying levels of comfort with technology, or that show up on the day of to see what's going on. I can confirm what ElHef stated: Even with account creation permissions, we are still blocked from creating more while within that range, as me and @RightCowLeftCoast found out last time. SDPLPauline (talk) 19:06, 21 May 2022 (UTC)

@ElHef PED does do a complete end-run around that problem. — xaosflux ^Talk 22:08, 21 May 2022 (UTC)

@SDPLPauline ^---< — xaosflux ^Talk 22:08, 21 May 2022 (UTC)

I've found this https://outreachdashboard.wmflabs.org. I believe that's the dashboard you're discussing? When trying to create an account there with my phone (on work network/data) it is still IP blocked. I am able to access it with my logged in wiki account. Would I be using this tool to manually register new accounts for participants or would they be able to register themselves? Would they be able to register new accounts for themselves even if they are using an IP blocked network? (This seems like it'd be a very abused work around if that's the case.) I do like seeing that it has automatic tracking so I can easily collect stats and so that we can avoid accidental "vandalism". Would I be out of line in creating a test event to see how the sign up process works? I really want this event to be as accessible as possible, and that entails seeing the process from both sides. Thanks. SDPLPauline (talk) 23:34, 21 May 2022 (UTC)

@SDPLPauline you should log in with your existing account. Then "create an independent program", "create a new program", "edit-a-thon", name it, fill in the box, click create. Then you will have a program page, in the bottom right click on "enable account requests", and set an easier passcode if you want. It will give you a link for your participants at the top (for example here is a test one: <https://outreachdashboard.wmflabs.org/courses/Test/Test20220521?enroll=test2022>). Your participants can click "request an account" and request accounts get made. You can see these and approve them on the dashboard then. Hope that helps? There is a lot more you can do with PED as well, and there are some trainings for it - but that is a good crash-course start! — xaosflux ^Talk 00:05, 22 May 2022 (UTC)

You could take that link and make it in to a QR code if you will have in-person people - might make it easy for them to use with a phone. — xaosflux ^Talk 00:16, 22 May 2022 (UTC)

My work day is ending for now, but I will take a good solid look at this. Thank you for the assistance. Crossing my fingers that it all works out. SDPLPauline (talk) 00:57, 22 May 2022 (UTC)

Ping me if you have questions on that, I'll try to help. If you know your registrants ahead of time you can also create accounts for them on the "Editors" tab on the dashboard, you give it a username and an email address, it will create the account and email them a password. — xaosflux ^Talk 02:13, 22 May 2022 (UTC)

Sadly it looks like this doesn't fix the issue. I was pretty hopeful, but even when using the Request an Account feature, the box will just throw up a little red "Blocked" under the e-mail address. It works if I'm elsewhere, so it isn't the e-mail address or username. It looks like we're blocked from even requesting an account to be made. I'll certainly be adding this tool's link in with my registration verification e-mail, but this still doesn't solve the main issue for those who aren't able to make an account at home. SDPLPauline (talk) 01:51, 25 May 2022 (UTC)

@Sage (Wiki Ed): shouldn't PED get around this? — xaosflux ^Talk 21:15, 25 May 2022 (UTC)

It can get around IP rate limiting, but can't directly get around blocked IPs that prevent account creation altogether. This is because a blocked IP cannot make the client-side API request to check whether the desired username is available, which happens before a user requests it. Fixing that so that it falls back to passing the request through the Dashboard's IP and sending the result back to the client is on the backlog. Once an available username is requested on the Dashboard, it should be able to actually create an account (with the temp password sent from MediaWiki to the user's email).--Sage (Wiki Ed) (talk) 21:45, 25 May 2022 (UTC)

@SDPLPauline can you provide the IP range that is having the problem (you can submit it privately via email on ticket 2022041010000119 - for at least right now the easiest solution is likely to unblock that range temporarily during the event time. — xaosflux ^Talk 01:43, 26 May 2022 (UTC)

Moving ISP and inheriting someone's old IP address?

What happens if you change your telecom provider and inherit an IP block? Thanks Anna (talk) 15:00, 18 January 2023 (UTC)

@Anna Roy if it affects you, you can request an unblock. Most "telecom provider" type IP blocks are for anonymous-only, so shouldn't impact logged in accounts. — xaosflux ^Talk 15:38, 18 January 2023 (UTC)

Wikipedia talk:IP block exemption/log

There are multiple grants of IP block exemption that are not logged, so they are not the only logs (I found no logs from April 2022 to February 2023). Thingofme (talk) 03:55, 8 March 2023 (UTC)

We should deprecate that log or try to find some way to automate it (e.g. a bot). It's so easy to forget that it exists. A quick search through Special:Log/rights shows that it is frequently ignored. Mz7 (talk) 08:27, 12 June 2024 (UTC)

It does say that admins "can" log things there, not that they "must", I'd be wary of using a bot, even if it just scrapes the rights log (which is the real log anyway) - as aggregating and publishing the log comment could in certain cases be troublesome. — xaosflux ^Talk 09:31, 12 June 2024 (UTC)

Makes sense. What is the benefit of maintaining that page in an optional format, then? I would be inclined to mark that page as {{historical}} if no one really uses it for any substantive reason. Mz7 (talk) 03:33, 13 June 2024 (UTC)

Streamline the sign-up process for new editors from China

From WP:Village Pump/Proposals:

Currently, the sign-up process for new users in China is very hard. To access Wikipedia in China, one must use a VPN to bypass the Great Firewall. To edit through a VPN, editors must first apply for WP:IPBE, but that puts them in a catch-22. WP:IPBE states, "Editing via an anonymous proxy, including open proxies and VPN services, can be easily abused. In this case, IP block exemption is granted only to trusted users. Examples of editors who may reasonably request an exemption include users who show they can contribute to the encyclopedia, and existing users with a history of valid non-disruptive contribution." This basically means that new Chinese users can't edit on Wikipedia because they need to have IPBE to do so, and to get IPBE, they need to have previously edited on Wikipedia, which basically means they are stuck this way unless they travel to Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan (which don't block WP) or a foreign country, get a good history of edits there on an allowed IP address, then request IPBE, or they would have to ask a friend outside mainland China to set up a VPN on their residential Internet connection (if they have a friend outside of mainland China).

Although I currently am staying in Hangzhou and going to Zhejiang University, I am very lucky and blessed to call Canada home, where I can gain access to Wikipedia through normal means, sign up normally, get a good reputation, and request IPBE for use in China.

Mainland Chinese editors have made many very good contributions to Wikipedia. Some of my favourites are User:N509FZ and User:MasaneMiyaPA (the latter mainly uploads Commons photos), who are transit photographers who have photographed many public transit systems around China. Just go see many articles about the Beijing Subway or Hangzhou Metro, and you will see their photos. I think that by making it easier for mainland Chinese editors to join Wikipedia, there can be more coverage on niche topics in China such as Chinese public transit, and it can allow "insiders" who experience living in China first-hand to document things in China.

We could streamline the sign-up process through one of several ways (just one way is necessary):

• Set up a special sign-up portal exclusively for users in China that contains only a sign-up form on a hidden IP address to avoid DNS poisoning (the sign-up portal would contain no articles to avoid upsetting the censors, causing the portal to be blocked), with the IP changing frequently to avoid blocking. Have a special button on Wikipedia to "request sign-up from China", and when that button is clicked, the user will receive an email to the sign-up portal's IP address. The user will then disconnect their VPN, go to their mailbox (such as QQ or 163), and click the IP address to access the sign-up portal. The sign-up portal detects the IP address of the user, and if the user is on a residential China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom or China Broadnet IP (the four ISPs of China), the sign-up will proceed normally, and the user will be automatically granted IPBE, so they can then edit normally. (If the user is not in China, they are not allowed to use this special portal to gain IPBE.) Then, the user simply reconnects to their VPN, goes back to the main WP website, and starts editing.
• Ask Chinese users to verify their phone number through SMS to instantly gain IPBE, to prove that they are in China. At the same time, this also has the positive effect of preventing people in China from creating sockpuppet accounts. (Such a page would accept Chinese phone numbers only, as it is not necessary for people in other countries to verify their phone number.)
• Ask Chinese users to pay a token amount such as CNY￥0.01 (worth only a fifth of a Canadian cent) using Alipay or WeChat Pay in an automatic sign-up portal to gain IPBE. This is not to make money or collect donations, but to verify that they are in China. (One cent RMB is nothing and will cause absolutely no financial burden for editors, as Taobao gives out roughly 10-50 cents for free every day in their 一起摇现金 promotion, where the user can shake their phone daily and get this small amount deposited directly to their Alipay account.)
• (more ideas to come...)

Félix An (talk) 02:02, 18 April 2023 (UTC)

IP Block exemption request

Hello, Please i will like to request for an IP block exemption for this user:LordXI01 for a duration. He will be contributing to a wikipedia project " Africa Day Campaign". If you can grant him a minimum of 6 months IP block exemption. I did be glad. Below are his details:

User:LordXI01

IP Address:102.176.94.159 JDQ Joris Darlington Quarshie (talk) 07:00, 5 June 2023 (UTC)

@Joris Darlington Quarshie: This isn't a great place to request IPBE, and I've responded to this request at the admin's noticeboard. I extend an invitation: Several regular responsible and trusted users in Ghana make direct requests for IPBE for other users on my talk page. You're welcome to join them. -- zzuuzz ^(talk) 07:04, 5 June 2023 (UTC)

Well noted with lots of thanks JDQ Joris Darlington Quarshie (talk) 07:05, 5 June 2023 (UTC)

Out of date?

I recently emailed checkuser-en-wpwikipedia.org, the address listed on this policy page, to ask for IPBE, but I didn't receive a response, even though the circumstances are similar to my successful IPBE request back in 2018. Are the instructions out of date? I've found a workaround for my situation to allow me to continue editing without IPBE, but that won't be possible for everyone who needs the permission, so it would be nice to make sure the policy is up to date. —Mx. Granger (talk · contribs) 22:53, 13 March 2024 (UTC)

I don't know if it's ever been perfect. To get those emails, checkusers need to have a VRT account, and these get de-activated after 6 months of inactivity (reading does not count as activity). Personally speaking, I also find the VRT interface non-intuitive, and I could probably summon a few more complaints. My account there has therefore long since faded away. Like any direction to use a different website to handle something on this website, it's not ideal. For that reason, the policy also says you can contact a checkuser in person. Really I'd encourage everyone to make friends with a checkuser, or at least make friends with an admin who's friends with a checkuser. OK, that's not for everybody, but for regulars. Don't get me wrong, some checkusers do go through the VRT queue, and they should be applauded, and they might get to your email soon, but there's usually a backlog and I'll always try to play down its utility compared to the direct approach. -- zzuuzz ^(talk) 23:31, 13 March 2024 (UTC)

@Zzuuzz it seems that you are a checkuser - let's be friends! I just emailed the VRT and hopefully will get a response. Otherwise, how would you recommend gaining the trust of "a checkuser, or at least make friends with an admin who's friends with a checkuser" ? DougInAMugtalk 14:39, 25 March 2024 (UTC)

• Our apologies, folks. As you can imagine, checkusers have a broad and extensive workload; IPBE is just one task. As it happens, the CUs who often specialize in IPBE reviews (including me) have been in short supply lately, so we have something of a backlog. I'm now back to regular editing so I hope to clear the backlog by the end of June. We're working on it. In the interim, as my colleague zzuuzz indicates above in another section, it's okay to approach a CU directly on their talk page on behalf of other editors, or if seeking an extension of an existing IPBE. Risker (talk) 17:02, 12 June 2024 (UTC)

  @Risker: May I ask, how did it go with clearing the backlog? My IPBE flag is set to expire in a little over two weeks so I'm in the process of requesting it. Per this discussion, I asked an admin with the CU permission, but they are not familiar with IPBE specifically and so very understandably don't want to grant it. I am more than willing to go through the 'official' process for requesting my extension, via email to that account as I have done in years past if need-be. But last year I waited several weeks after emailing, unable to edit, and never received a reply. After reaching out to an admin via email (two in fact, the first declined because of unfamiliarity with IPBE), they thankfully reviewed my request (that admin has since left the project). I'd like to nail down some kind of annual routine for requesting extensions, if possible, as my career seems like it will keep me in my circumstances for the forseeable future. --Pinchme123 (talk) 15:30, 18 July 2024 (UTC)

  Hi Pinchme123, still working on it. I've been a little more available this week, but it will take 6-8 weeks working solidly to get through the backlog. In the interim, I've extended your IPBE. Risker (talk) 15:43, 18 July 2024 (UTC)

  Please accept my deepest thanks! I really do want to keep from 'being a burden' so to speak, with asking for things in a way that might cause issues for others. Do you think there's a better way to request this for someone in my situation, or should I just try to stick to emailing the CU inbox, and do it a couple months in advance? --Pinchme123 (talk) 15:56, 18 July 2024 (UTC)

IP block exemption request backlog on VRT is now caught up

Just to follow up on previous messages, the IPBE request backlog at the checkuser-en-wpwikipedia.org VRT queue is now caught up. There are a few older requests that are in process, or are awaiting further information or feedback.

It is our intention to keep up with requests, with the intention to address requests once or twice a week. Urgent requests can be addressed to individual checkusers, or even to admins who are willing to grant IP block exemptions. To support administrators who are interested in doing so, we are developing a "cheat sheet" that can be useful in decision-making. The draft is at User:Risker/IPBE. Comments and suggestions for improvement are invited. Risker (talk) 22:08, 10 September 2024 (UTC)

IP address unblocke

Please mera IP address unblocke kijiye please uski bjah se meri study krne me problem ho rhi please please please please please please please 117.206.219.129 (talk) 04:02, 2 October 2024 (UTC)

That you posted here means you are not blocked. — xaosflux ^Talk 17:43, 2 October 2024 (UTC)

India?

Not to add to the sense of a moral panic around here, but should we consider "I'm in India and want to edit articles about Indian topics" as a mitigating factor for accepting IPBE requests? Just Step Sideways ^{from this world ..... today} 21:52, 15 November 2024 (UTC)

The reason we generally consider that for China, is because China actively blocks network connections to Wikipedia. India isn't doing this currently. — xaosflux ^Talk 18:38, 16 November 2024 (UTC)

Yes, but see here for info on why Indian users may want to use a VPN. – Closed Limelike Curves (talk) 19:33, 19 November 2024 (UTC)

IP block exemption is granted on a case-by-case basis. VPNs really aren't a magic bullet; most of the VPN organizations collect a LOT more personal information about their users than the WMF does (including financial information and home addresses), and they too are subject to the same court orders and subpoenas as the WMF. Risker (talk) 00:29, 20 November 2024 (UTC)