Contents:
1. Can I use a VPN while on Prolific?
2. Why am I being flagged as using a VPN?

Can I use a VPN while on Prolific?

Participants should not use a VPN, iCloud Private Relay, proxies or similar services while using Prolific. To maintain our high data quality standards, we need to verify participants are located in their listed country of residence. Using a VPN or similar service may cause our system to flag that you're not in your expected location, which can lead to error messages, prevent you from seeing studies, or block your ability to cash out.

We therefore ask that you disable any VPNs while using Prolific.

Why am I being flagged as using a VPN?

If you've received an error message or a notification from Prolific support about using a VPN, this may be related to your device or browser settings.

First, verify that your current location matches the country of residence listed in your Prolific profile. If your location doesn't match your profile, you'll need to either update your Prolific details or wait until you return to your listed country of residence before participating.

If your details are correct but you're still receiving VPN messages, follow these troubleshooting steps to identify any VPNs that might be enabled on your device or browser:

Troubleshooting:

  • Check your devices and browsers for automatically enabled VPNs:

Windows: Go to Settings > Network & Internet > VPN. This will show any active connections

macOS: Go to System Preferences > Network. This will show any VPN connections and their status

  • Look for VPN icons in your system tray (near your device's clock) that might indicate an active VPN connection
  • If you're using a school or work connection, they may have a VPN enabled by default—try using an alternative connection
  • For Apple device users, use the spotlight search to check if iCloud Private Relay is enabled
  • Use an online IP checker tool to verify whether your displayed location matches your actual location

Relevant topics:
I'm moving countries; can I keep my account?
Can I access studies while on holiday abroad?
PEC-AB-0002 error
PEC-AB-0004 error
PEC-U-0001 error

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