Google Tells EU That Site-Blocking Measures Are Disproportionate and Ineffective
Google's submission pushes back against expanding site-blocking in Europe, arguing that the approach harms legitimate internet infrastructure and users, and that the EU should focus on targeted takedowns.
Reporting from 1 source: GIGAZINE.
Google submitted a response to the European Commission's call for input on copyright, arguing that blocking pirate sites via DNS resolvers, IP addresses, and VPNs is ineffective and causes collateral damage to legitimate services. It cited incidents in Portugal and Italy where overblocking disrupted Google services and other sites. Google says standard takedown measures should be prioritized, with injunctions as a last resort.
Google's submission to the European Commission, marked confidential but later published on the Commission's website, argues that blocking pirate sites through DNS resolvers, IP addresses, and VPNs is disproportionate and ineffective. The company cites incidents in Portugal and Italy where overbroad blocking disrupted Google services and legitimate sites like school websites and ticket services. A recent OONI study found that in Spain, over 554,000 domains were blocked during soccer broadcasts, including sites of Amnesty International and UNICEF. Google says standard takedown measures should be the priority, with injunctions only as a last resort.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.