Tech companies challenge Italy’s Piracy Shield
The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA Europe), representing major tech companies like Google, Amazon, and Cloudflare, has raised significant concerns about Italy’s “Piracy Shield” initiative. This system allows copyright holders to report suspected piracy websites to the Italian media regulator, AgCom, which then orders Internet providers to block access to these sites within 30 minutes.
CCIA Europe argues that the reliance on IP address and DNS blocking, including VPNs and public DNS resolvers, makes the system overly broad and potentially harmful. The expedited 30-minute blocking window, unclear verification procedures, and inadequate redress mechanisms create a high risk of over-blocking legitimate services. This concern is heightened by the involvement of a company affiliated with a reporting entity (Lega Serie A) in developing the blocking platform, raising potential conflict-of-interest issues.
A recent incident where Google Drive was erroneously blocked in Italy for three hours underscores the system’s flaws and potential for widespread disruption. CCIA Europe contends that the Piracy Shield lacks sufficient transparency and safeguards, potentially violating EU regulations such as the Open Internet Regulation and the Digital Services Act, as well as fundamental rights like freedom of expression. The association is calling for more robust verification, transparency, and redress mechanisms to mitigate the negative impacts of the initiative.
