Is BBC now blocking iPlayer access to Freedome users?

SPH

Since yesterday (6th October) I have been unable to access the BBC iPlayer from France via Freedome running on my MacBook.  Is this a known issue?

 

Some details:

 

I am running Mac OS Sierra and Freedome 1.6.3289.0

The same issue occurs using both Firefox and Safari

I am not aware of any changes/updates to my configuration between the time I was last able to access iplayer (2 days ago) and now

 

Edit to Add: Other UK video sites are still fully accessible - this problem only affects my access to BBC iPlayer

 

When I connect to the iPlayer site *without* Freedome enabled the site loads & works correctly but I am of course unable to watch any videos due to the geo-restrictions. The site homepage appears as follows:

 

 

When I enable Freedome, most images are then blank and menu options (eg "Channel") on the page no longer work or appear as if some script has failed to load. Specific programmes can be accessed via the direct links but then the video player simply does not start, again as if the page element is blocked. The same homepage looks as follows:

 

 

Interestingly I do appear to be able to access iPlayer via the iPhone app.

 

Can someone from F-Secure please advise?

 

SPH

I have now discovered that this issue appears to caused by the browsing protection feature of Freedome. When I disable this option I am able to fully access iPlayer as before. Please can the F-Secure team investigate

[Deleted User]

Hi SPH,

 

Just to check with you further, could you please confirm if you are able to access the BBC iPlayer when Tracking Protection in Freedome is turned OFF (when Browsing Protection is ON)?

 

SPH

Hello Laksh - thanks for getting back to me.

 

When experimenting over the weekend, the symptom was definitely that the browser protection blocked access. I did also try with tracking protection turn off and browser protection turned on but was still blocked. I then tried a few times toggling the browser protection feature after clearing my caches and restarting browsers etc. with the blocking being consistent with browser protection being enabled.

 

As a precaution before answering you I tested again just now and it appears the problem has been addressed and I have full iPlayer access again with both Tracking and Browser Protection enabled. I have not made any configuration changes to my mac and am using my usual browser setup - but something has clearly changed (for the better).

 

Happy to provide more info if you need it, but right now all appears to be fixed

 

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@Laksh wrote:

Hi SPH,

 

Just to check with you further, could you please confirm if you are able to access the BBC iPlayer when Tracking Protection in Freedome is turned OFF (when Browsing Protection is ON)?

 

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[Deleted User]

Thanks for the detailed post, SPH. Glad to know it is sorted now. If you happen to see the issue reoccur, please let us know.