Ask HN: Does HN block mobile browsers?

5 points by pbohun 34 days ago | 7 comments

Recently I have been unable to visit hn from my mobile phone over the cellular network. I have standard Android and I've tried multiple browsers including Firefox, Chrome, and Brave. I don't need or want to login while I'm about so I was trying to reach the site without an account. If I'm connected to a wifi network then everything works.

Is this the result of a method to keep out bots that is over zealous?

mtmail 34 days ago |

I'd say it's an IP or subnet block, unrelated to the type of browser. Maybe automatic block of crawler (too many page requests in short time). If you know your IP address (e.g. https://ipinfo.io/ip) email the moderators. hn@ycombinator.com

timpera 34 days ago |

Hi! I have the same issue (Orange France mobile network). It might be IPv6-related?

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49499217

benoau 34 days ago |

I find it blocks a lot on my Android tablet with Firefox, although the "Chrome Mask" extension seems to help. Without it I can only browse a couple pages deep into "/news" and maybe one page of "/newest", and often can't open discussion threads or user profiles.

brudgers 34 days ago |

It does not block any of my mobile browsers and never has.

Maybe it is your carrier?

Because you know “hacker.”

al_borland 34 days ago |

I was able to load up this page in a private browser (to be logged out) over cellular on an iPhone.

This might be something with your phone.

qup 33 days ago |

Pixel 9a, Firefox.

Never even imagined I would have a problem. HN is my "is the internet working?" check.

RattlesnakeJake 34 days ago |

Working fine from Firefox on Android over PureTalk (small MVNO using AT&T's spectrum).