📰 New article from TorrentFreak
EU Study: Block Live Sports Piracy in 30 Minutes, Across DNS Resolvers, VPNs and CDNs
Want to stop live sports piracy? A new EU study says it’s surprisingly easy: just 30 minutes.
Commissioned by the European Parliament, the report argues that current voluntary guidelines are too slow for the fast-paced world of live streaming. It proposes a binding regulation requiring intermediaries—from DNS providers like Google to VPNs and CDNs—to block unauthorized streams within half an hour. Think of it as an EU-wide version of Italy’s controversial “Piracy Shield.”
The logic is straightforward. Since courts in places like Paris are already ordering these tech giants to help, the report suggests standardizing this across the bloc. It even recommends creating independent administrative agencies in every member state to oversee enforcement, ensuring consistent action rather than a patchwork of local efforts.
However, this approach isn’t without serious risks. The study admits that IP and DNS blocking are “blunt instruments” that often cause overblocking. Citing data from Spain, it notes that major blocks have accidentally taken down legitimate sites, including those for Amnesty International and UNICEF.
Ultimately, the report acknowledges a hard truth: if legal options remain fragmented and expensive, piracy will persist. While the 30-minute takedown proposal is a bold wishlist, it’s just advice for now. The real question is whether the EU will prioritize speed over collateral damage when drafting the next law.