Italy’s new anti-piracy system, Piracy Shield, has come under scrutiny from the European Commission over potential breaches of the Digital Services Act.

The tool, launched by the Italian communications regulator AGCOM, allows authorities to block suspicious websites within 30 minutes, a feature praised by sports rights holders for minimising illegal streaming losses.

However, its speed and lack of judicial oversight have raised legal concerns. Critics argue that individuals are denied the right to defend themselves before action.

A recent glitch linked to Google’s CDN disrupted access to platforms like YouTube and Google Drive, deepening public unease. Another point of contention is Piracy Shield’s governance. SP Tech, a company owned by Lega Serie A, manages the system, which directly benefits from anti-piracy enforcement.

The Computer and Communications Industry Association was prompted to file a complaint, citing a conflict of interest and calling for greater transparency.

While AGCOM Commissioner Massimiliano Capitanio insists the tool places Italy at the forefront of the fight against illegal streaming, growing pressure from digital rights groups and EU regulators suggests a clash between national enforcement and European law.

What is Piracu Shield?

Piracy Shield is Italy’s automated online anti-piracy system, launched to combat illegal streaming, especially of live sports, by allowing copyright holders to rapidly report domains or IP addresses hosting pirated content. The Italian media regulator (AGCOM) then orders internet providers to block access to these sites within 30 minutes. The initiative was introduced under Italian copyright law and further amended in 2024, expanding its scope and enforcement powers