What is Geo Blocking and How to Get Around It?
If you're trying to access a website or platform and suddenly hit a brick wall with a "This content is unavailable in your country" message instead of what you were after, it's probably because you're running into a geo block - plain and simple. Geo-blocking is basically blocking online content based on where you're coming from. A geo block just means that an online service, a government, or your internet service provider (ISP) has worked out where you are by tracking your device's IP address (your computer's internet address) and has decided to shut you out. Geo-blocking works by using tracking and geolocation tech to identify your device's IP address - effectively pinning down your general location, without giving away your precise address. However the IP address on your device can give away your general location, but it's not always 100% accurate. Geo-blocking can stop you getting at online content or services by analysing the data you're requesting and the traffic data - which can happen at the network level (and that's often referred to as network level blocking). Geo-blocking creates virtual borders online, allowing businesses to manage the way they distribute digital content according to what makes business sense, is legal, and keeps them safe. It's also used for market segmentation and 'dynamic pricing', which can lead to price discrimination - where people in different regions are charged different prices for the same product or service. Geo-blocking is also used to comply with local data protection laws such as the GDPR in the EU - which can result in geo blocking website access due to a lack of compliance with these rules. Geo-blocking is essentially a way for services to block or restrict access to content based on your location - usually for a good reason, such as keeping up with licensing agreements, local laws or regulations. Your device's IP address is like a digital fingerprint that gives away where you are in the world. When you connect to the internet, your device borrows the router's public IP address - this is how services can figure out where you are. Want to know more about geo-blocking? Keep on reading.






