 | This page documents a procedural policy of Wikipedia. It documents various processes by which the English Wikipedia operates. |
 | This policy in a nutshell: Editors in good standing whose editing is disrupted by unrelated blocks or firewalls may request IP address block exemption, which allows editing on an otherwise-blocked IP address. The right is given to trusted users and may be removed if concerns arise or when it is no longer needed. To request an IP address block exemption, use the Unblock Ticket Request System or the {{unblock}} template on your talk page (if you have talk page access). If you will be editing using an anonymous proxy, including a VPN service, send your request to checkuser-en-wp wikipedia.org instead. |
Normally, long-term blocks of IP addresses or ranges do not affect logged-in editors. However, it is occasionally necessary to block both anonymous and logged-in users, using autoblock and/or hard blocks, to prevent disruption.
Administrators and bots are always exempt from such blocks (except for Tor blocks[1]). Other editors can request for IP address block exemptions on a per-user basis if they can show good cause.
An IP address block exemption allows that editor to edit without interruption, from an IP address that would otherwise be blocked through no fault of their own. It can also be used to allow editing via an anonymizing proxy when need is demonstrated and the user is trusted to not abuse the user right.
Editors granted IP address block exemption should be aware that breach of this policy, including unauthorized editing via proxies, or significant concerns over account abuse or other conduct, may lead to the removal of the IP address block exemption.
The permission is usually given for 12-month intervals for experienced users, who are encouraged to request it again if they have a continued need after it expires. Users with less experience but who meet the qualification under this policy might be granted an IP block exemption for a shorter duration.
There are currently 800 users who have the IPBE flag.
- ^ Editing from Tor exit nodes require the
torunblockedright, which is included only in the IP block exemption group. It is not included with the Administrator or Bot user groups. All users, including those with IP block exemption, are still affected by any cookie blocks that are imposed upon them; IP block exemption does not affect this block option.