Overcoming Geo-Blocking in Feature Testing with TypeScript and Open Source Tools

Tackling Geo-Blocked Features in Testing Environments with TypeScript

In today’s globally connected yet region-restricted digital landscape, testing geo-blocked features presents unique challenges. As a Lead QA Engineer, ensuring comprehensive test coverage across different geographies requires innovative approaches that can be integrated seamlessly into existing testing pipelines. In this post, I will detail a systematic method to simulate geo-restrictions using open source tools and TypeScript, empowering QA teams to validate features beyond the limitations imposed by geographic restrictions.

Understanding the Challenge

Geo-blocking is a common strategy used by content providers to restrict access based on the user’s geographic location. During testing, this introduces hurdles—particularly when your testing environments are located outside the target regions. Without proper simulation, it’s impossible to validate user experiences, compliance, or regional-specific features.

Strategy: Intercept and Modify Network Requests

The primary goal is to intercept network requests made by the application and manipulate geographic identifiers such as IP address, headers, or geolocation APIs to simulate local conditions. We leverage open source tools like Mitmproxy and BrowserMob Proxy, combined with TypeScript, to create a robust testing approach.

Implementation Details

Step 1: Set Up Proxy Environment

First, install and run Mitmproxy, which acts as an intercepting proxy that can modify requests and responses dynamically.

pip install mitmproxy
mitmproxy --mode transparent --listen-port 8080

Step 2: Create a TypeScript Proxy Handler

Using Node.js, set up a proxy server that interfaces with Mitmproxy. The goal here is to inject headers or modify responses to simulate different geographical locations.

import * as http from 'http';
import * as httpProxy from 'http-proxy';

const proxy = httpProxy.createProxyServer({});

const server = http.createServer((req, res) => {
  // Modify headers to fake location
  req.headers['X-Forwarded-For'] = '203.0.113.195'; // Sample IP from desired region
  req.headers['Accept-Language'] = 'en-US';
  // Forward request through Mitmproxy
  proxy.web(req, res, { target: 'http://localhost:8080' });
});

server.listen(3000, () => {
  console.log('Proxy server listening on port 3000');
});

Step 3: Integrate Geo Simulation into Tests

In your test scripts, configure your application to route network requests through your proxy, then perform your test cases.

import { chromium } from 'playwright';

(async () => {
  const browser = await chromium.launch();
  const context = await browser.newContext({ proxy: { server: 'http://localhost:3000' } });
  const page = await context.newPage();

  // Navigate to the feature page
  await page.goto('https://yourapp.com/region-locked-feature');

  // Validate feature access and behavior
  const content = await page.content();
  console.log(content);

  await browser.close();
})()

Benefits of This Approach

• Open Source Ecosystem: Leverage free and community-supported tools.
• Flexibility: Easily switch between different geographic simulations by changing request headers or IP proxies.
• Automation Friendly: Integrate into CI/CD pipelines for continuous testing across regions.
• Scalability: Extend with scripting to test multiple regions concurrently.

Final Thoughts

Simulating geo-restrictions during testing is vital for delivering reliable international features. Combining open source network interception tools with TypeScript automation provides a powerful, flexible solution that scales with your testing needs. This approach ensures your geo-blocked features are validated accurately, regardless of the team’s physical or regional location.

By adopting such strategies, QA teams can minimize regional blind spots, improve feature rollout confidence, and ensure consistent user experiences worldwide.

---

🛠️ QA Tip

Pro Tip: Use TempoMail USA for generating disposable test accounts.