Here is what it really means and how to move on.
It is a jolt most readers recognise. You click a link to a story and land on a page warning that your behaviour looks automated. In Britain, where morning commutes and late night scrolls bookend the day, a security check can feel like a door closed in your face.
The message in question comes from News Group Newspapers, publisher of The Sun. It sets out a simple boundary for anyone accessing content and what to do if you are caught up by mistake. The promise is clear enough, and the fix is even clearer.
The Sun security check that flags bots and why it appears at all
The notice tells readers that the system has detected behaviour that looks automated. That can include patterns that resemble scripts or tools, or activity routed through intermediary services. The tone is firm yet practical. It asks for patience and points you towards help if you are a legitimate user.
Occasional false alarms are acknowledged in plain language. The page states that human browsing can sometimes be misread as automated. That is why the security screen appears and asks you to try again or get in touch. On a rainy Tuesday, that can be annoying, but it is not personal.
Crucially, the notice make it clear that access is for people, not bots. That matters in the current news cycle, with heavy traffic around major stories and winter sales chatter pushing readers to refresh pages more often. And yet the remedy remains straightforward.
What the notice says about automated access and text and data mining
According to the message, automated access is not allowed on the service, whether direct or via an intermediary. The policy also blocks text or data mining of any content. The wording points to the company’s terms and conditions, where the same rules apply to all users.
There is a clear reference to AI uses. The error screen says activity for machine learning or LLMs falls within the prohibited bucket. In short, anything that scrapes, collects or harvests articles without permission is off limits. If your aim is to read the piece in your browser like everyone else, you are on safe ground.
The overall message is protective rather than punitive. Publishers safeguard their journalism and their readers by blocking scraping. The notice simply spells out that position, so you know where you stand if you see it pop up.
How to get help as a genuine reader when the system gets it wrong
The page accepts that people can be flagged in error and lays out a route to support. If you are a legitimate reader who has been stopped, the message directs you to customer support at [email protected]. You can explain what you were trying to read and when you encountered the block.
Keep it calm and factual. Mention the page you tried to view and the time the warning appeared. If the screen shows an error message, note the wording so the team can check your case quickly. Once the check is complete, you can return to the article and carry on reading.
Most people only hit these walls occasionally. Still, if you browse on shared Wi-Fi or flip between tabs quickly, the system might ask you to try again. A short pause and a fresh page load often clears the pathway without fuss.
Commercial use and AI tools in the UK context, and who to contact next
For anyone seeking to use content beyond ordinary reading, the notice highlights a separate channel. It invites commercial inquiries about content use to [email protected]. That is the route for organisations that want to discuss licences or access that sits outside the everyday reader experience.
The message also underlines that text and data mining for AI, machine learning or LLMs is not permitted under the site’s terms and conditions. In practice, that means tools designed to scrape or harvest stories cannot run against the site without prior agreement. The policy applies whether the software acts directly on pages or goes through a third party.
If you are unsure which path fits your needs, the page points to two plain options that cover most scenarios.
- Readers blocked in error can reach customer support at [email protected], while businesses seeking permission for commercial use should email [email protected].
That is it. If you are just here for the headlines, send a quick note and you will be guided back in. If your plans involve tools or bulk use, start the conversation with the permissions team and you will avoid a dead end later.
Ha, so The Sun thinks I’m a bot because I refresh like a maniac on my commute. Fair enough! The quick retry tip worked for me 🙂