Why do all my devices get flagged as bots on websites?
Asked by
TechWanderer42
I'm having a frustrating issue where multiple websites, especially those for time-sensitive purchases like Ticketmaster and Pokémon Centre, think I'm a bot. I've tried accessing these sites using different devices—iPhones and Windows laptops—and both WiFi and mobile data. I've switched browsers, changed locations, and even toggled iCloud Private Relay on and off. I've cleared all cache, history, cookies, etc. Malware scans show nothing, and I don't think malware is a concern on my iPhone. Oddly enough, I'm not logged into any accounts, yet these sites seem to recognize me. Initially, I could access them after a while, but now I'm completely locked out no matter how many times I retry. Does anyone have suggestions on how to resolve this? Thanks!
Answers
You might want to turn off iCloud Private Relay in Settings > Safari on your Apple devices. Also, try to avoid clicking on a bunch of things too quickly. And double-check if you have any privacy protection extensions installed, as they can cause problems.
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Just out of curiosity, how many sites are you having this problem with? Like 1 out of 10, or more like 5 out of 10?
TechWanderer42: I guess I don’t keep track, but I really notice it when it's a hassle, like when I’m trying to buy something that sells out fast. Some sites let me through after a normal CAPTCHA, but others don’t let me in at all.
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Are you using a VPN? That could definitely cause issues with sites thinking you're using a bot.
TechWanderer42: Nope, I’m not using a VPN.
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TechWanderer42: Thanks for the tip! I already tried toggling iCloud Private Relay; it didn’t help, and I'm pretty sure I don't have any extensions.