I'm having a frustrating issue where multiple websites, especially ones for time-sensitive purchases like Ticketmaster or the Pokémon Centre, are rejecting my access and marking me as a bot. I've tried a bunch of different solutions: switching between my iPhone and Windows laptop, using both WiFi and mobile data, trying different browsers, and even changing geographical locations. I've turned the iCloud private relay on and off, cleared all my browsing history, cache, and cookies, but nothing seems to work. I've run malware scans which come back clear, and I doubt malware is a problem on my iPhone. I'm not logged into any accounts, and I don't understand how these sites recognize me as the same person. Previously, I could access some sites after a few attempts, but now I'm completely blocked no matter how often I try. Does anyone have any ideas on how to resolve this? Thanks a ton!
3 Answers
Just how many sites are we talking about? Is it like 1 in 10 or closer to 5 in 10?
Are you using a VPN? That can definitely raise flags with some websites, marking you as a bot. It's worth checking if that's the case!
Nope, I'm not using a VPN.
You might want to turn off iCloud private relay in your Settings > Safari on your Apple devices. And try not to click buttons really quickly; it might trigger their bot detection. Also, check and see if you have any privacy extensions that could interfere with normal browsing.
Thanks, I already turned that off and toggled it on to test, but it didn’t help. I’m pretty sure I don’t have any extensions either.
Haha, I know it’s hard to say! I really only notice it when I’m trying to buy something that sells out fast, but I think it happens more often than I realize.