Gline

A gline, or G-line, is an IRC term for a global ban imposed on a user across an entire IRC network. It is typically issued by an IRC operator (IRCop) to block connections from a specific hostmask, IP address, or sometimes an ident string, so that the ban applies on all servers within the network. The primary purpose is to curb abusive behavior such as spam, floods, harassment, or botnet activity that originates from a consistent address or range.

In operation, the gline is recorded in the network’s ban database and propagated to all connected servers. Users attempting to connect from a banned host are refused or immediately disconnected. A gline can have a set duration or be permanent, depending on the network’s policy and the operator’s judgment. Some networks support temporary glines that expire automatically, while others require manual removal. Glines are generally managed by IRC operators and are subject to network rules, with appeals processes in place on many networks.

The term is widely used across IRC networks, though exact implementation details vary. Proponents view glines as an essential tool against abuse, while critics warn that misconfigurations or overly broad matches can unintentionally block legitimate users. Networks may supplement glines with additional measures such as static ban lists, more granular ban masks, or IP-based restrictions to reinforce network-wide bans and deter evasion attempts.

See also: IRC, ban mask (+b), IRC operator, ban list, AKICK or equivalent ban management.