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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.

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 editors in this way, using a hard block, to prevent disruption.

Administrators and bots are always exempt from such blocks (with the exception of 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 6-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.

  1. Editing from Tor exit nodes require the torunblocked right, 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.