Users of The Sun’s online services are encountering access issues, with the publication’s system flagging legitimate user behavior as potentially automated. The issue, which began surfacing in late 2023 and continued through 2025, is prompting the News Group Newspapers Limited to restrict access for some users, citing concerns about automated data collection.
The core of the problem, as outlined in a message displayed to affected users, centers around The Sun’s terms and conditions, which prohibit the automated access, collection, or data mining of content. The message explicitly mentions restrictions on the use of AI, machine learning, or Large Language Models (LLMs) for scraping content. Users are directed to the publication’s terms and conditions for further details.
While the system is intended to block bots and unauthorized data harvesting, it appears to be generating false positives. The Sun acknowledges this possibility, stating that its system “occasionally misinterprets human behaviour as automated.” Users who believe they have been incorrectly flagged are advised to contact customer support at help@thesun.co.uk.
For those seeking to utilize The Sun’s content for commercial purposes, the publication offers a dedicated point of contact: crawlpermission@news.co.uk. This suggests The Sun is open to licensing its content, but strictly prohibits unauthorized automated access.
The situation echoes broader concerns within the media industry regarding the impact of AI and automated content scraping. News organizations are increasingly grappling with how to protect their intellectual property in an era where AI tools can easily replicate and redistribute content. The implementation of stricter access controls, like those employed by The Sun, represents one approach to this challenge.
Interestingly, a separate issue involving account access was reported in May 2025 on Facebook, with users of the platform Suno experiencing blocks and messages stating their devices were “detected as suspicious.” While seemingly unrelated to The Sun, this incident highlights a wider trend of platforms tightening security measures and potentially impacting legitimate users.
Elsewhere in the digital subscription landscape, the Chicago Sun-Times implemented an auto-renewal policy for its digital products as of November 7, 2023. According to their terms of sale, access to digital content may be limited or foreclosed without a valid subscription. This policy, while distinct from the access issues at The Sun, underscores the growing importance of digital subscriptions for news organizations.
A completely separate development, as of January 29, 2025, SunStrong Management began taking over the mySunPower app. This transition included the introduction of a premium tier for most monitoring features, with basic access limited to WiFi connection management and firmware updates. For customers using cellular connections, the service is transitioning to WiFi-only connectivity by April 15, 2025. This change prompted some users to consider disconnecting their systems from the internet to prevent unwanted firmware updates and potential lockout of local LAN access.
The move by SunStrong Management to monetize access to the mySunPower app’s features is a notable example of how companies are adapting their business models in the evolving energy technology sector. It also raises questions about user control and data privacy, as the premium subscription includes “automated data collection.”
As of today, , the situation at The Sun remains ongoing. Users continue to report access issues, and the publication’s automated system appears to be actively flagging and blocking accounts. The long-term impact of these measures on user engagement and readership remains to be seen, but it underscores the challenges facing news organizations in the digital age as they attempt to balance accessibility with content protection.
