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Comment by renewiltord | Hacker News Reader

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It becomes harder as many websites block popular VPNs themselves.

Try any US or UK government websites. Or try logging in or ordering something on BestBuy or HomeDepot. Many sites allow ordering but then cancel order next day (e.g. when processing by shop.app).

Instagram allows to open a profile either logged in or without a VPN.

in a slightly different direction: many sites also take it upon themselves to implement ip blocks. for example, us-based utility companies or healthcare companies seem to block IPs from “strategic competitor” countries (let’s say) but also from many others including supposed allies.

And it's a compliance requirement -- you are actually required to block IPs of sanctioned countries and territories.

When I argued that Google Cloud must have been blocking those already, they told me to provide some evidence (a written confirmation from GCP that they block the IPs), which is fair.

if a citizen is traveling to another country they shouldn’t be allowed access to their utility bill on the road??

How are websites blocked in India? Do you need a VPN or can you just use a different DNS server?

It depends on the service provider.

Some used to mess with DNS. Others used to use packet inspection.

Personally I’ve not experienced any blocking, probably due to DoH.

Is it "just" that, or is it Elsevier's, Wiley's, and friends' doing? As I had commented the other day on a same/similar post, One Nation One Subscription was signed with Wiley this February, maybe other publishers have done something similar.

Only a few people will know how to use VPN, not everyone.

Oppression helps disseminate knowledge.

For example in Russia it's common knowledge nowadays to the extent that babushkas discuss relative merits of various VPN services while gathering shrooms in the woods.

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