Spain blocks CivitAI and open-source model sites amid LaLiga crackdown
DNS and VPN workarounds fail as Spain tightens AI model site blocks
The Spanish government, in collaboration with LaLiga, has escalated its internet censorship by blocking access to open-source AI model websites, including CivitAI and CivitAI.red. Users report being unable to download models like Z-Image Turbo, with standard bypass methods failing. DNS servers from Cloudflare and Quad9, previously effective, no longer work, and VPNs are blocked by IP ranges, forcing users to abandon paid solutions.
This move targets the open-source AI community, which relies on platforms like CivitAI for sharing and downloading models. The user who posted the issue eventually gave up on VPNs due to cost and now uses an undisclosed model search engine to evade blocks. The situation reflects a broader trend of increased censorship in Spain, impacting AI development and access to tools for professionals and hobbyists alike.
- Spain and LaLiga block open-source AI model sites like CivitAI, targeting platforms for sharing models like Z-Image Turbo.
- DNS bypass methods (Cloudflare, Quad9) and VPNs are no longer effective due to IP range blocking and server restrictions.
- Users resort to hidden model search engines as a workaround, but fear these will also be blocked soon.
Why It Matters
Spain's AI model blocks hinder open-source development and force users to find covert access methods.