In today’s digital landscape, many of us are turning to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to safeguard our online privacy. Whether you’re an artist uploading work, a writer researching a new piece, or simply someone who values digital security, a VPN can help shield your personal information and browsing habits. However, if you’ve ever tried to visit a favourite site while connected to a VPN, you may have encountered an unwelcome message: “Access Denied”.
So why do some websites block VPN users? It may seem unfair, but in most cases, there’s more going on behind the scenes than meets the eye.
1. Regional Licensing and Content Rights
Websites that stream films, music, or television shows—such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, or Spotify—often have strict licensing agreements. These agreements dictate where certain content can legally be shown. When you use a VPN to appear as though you’re in another country, you might inadvertently violate those terms.
To remain compliant, these services actively block known VPN IP addresses to prevent people from accessing content not licensed for their region.
2. Preventing Online Abuse and Fraud
Many businesses use location data and IP addresses to detect and prevent suspicious behaviour. A VPN hides your real IP address, making it harder for sites to determine if you’re a genuine visitor or someone attempting to exploit their systems.
This is particularly true for:
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Online banking and finance
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Event ticketing platforms
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Online marketplaces
In these cases, blocking VPNs helps reduce fraud, spam, and abuse—albeit at the cost of inconvenience to legitimate users.
3. Advertising and Analytics
A large number of websites rely on advertising revenue. Targeted ads depend on knowing your approximate location and browsing habits—information VPNs obscure. From a site’s perspective, VPN users are essentially invisible to their tracking tools, making them harder to monetise.
Some sites respond by restricting or denying access to those using VPNs, in an effort to preserve the effectiveness of their advertising models.
4. Legal Compliance in Specific Regions
Depending on the country, certain services may be restricted or outright banned—such as online gambling, political content, or even social media platforms. If a site operates in a sensitive legal environment, blocking VPNs can help ensure that only users from permitted locations are able to access the service, thus avoiding legal repercussions.
5. Defending Against Bots and Malicious Activity
Unfortunately, not everyone uses VPNs with good intentions. Some malicious users, bots, and scammers hide behind VPNs to launch attacks or flood sites with traffic. If a website has had trouble with repeated abuse from VPN sources, it may block all VPN users as a preventative measure.
The Creative Catch-22
For artists, writers, and creative professionals, VPNs can offer real benefits—especially when working across borders, accessing geo-blocked resources, or protecting sensitive communications. Being locked out of websites while using one can feel like a punishment for valuing your privacy.
Thankfully, not all hope is lost:
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High-quality VPNs offer rotating IPs to avoid detection.
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Some platforms allow “trusted” VPN providers or offer workarounds.
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You may be able to temporarily disconnect your VPN for access, or use split tunnelling to keep the VPN active only on selected apps.
In Conclusion
While the blocking of VPNs can be frustrating, it often stems from a desire to protect content, uphold legal obligations, or combat online abuse. As privacy tools grow more sophisticated, we may see more balanced solutions that respect both user privacy and platform integrity.
For now, the key is awareness. Understanding why these blocks happen helps us navigate the web more smoothly—and allows us to advocate for smarter, fairer digital spaces.
