Canal+ Anti-Piracy Case: All Sports Sites Where VPNs Are Blocked in France
France’s major broadcaster Canal+ has successfully forced top VPN providers like NordVPN and ExpressVPN to block over 200 illegal sports streaming sites, shaking up the VPN landscape and raising concerns over user privacy.
Summary
- French court orders VPNs to block 203 illegal sports streaming domains.
- Top VPNs like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Proton VPN, CyberGhost, and Surfshark are affected.
- Privacy advocates warn this sets a dangerous precedent for global internet freedom.
What Happened in the Canal+ Anti-Piracy Case?
On May 15, the Paris Judicial Court ruled in favor of Canal+ and Ligue 1, forcing major VPN providers to block access to illegal sports streaming sites. This decision marks a global legal first, labeling VPNs as “technical intermediaries” with direct responsibility for piracy prevention.
Which VPNs and Sites Are Impacted?
The ruling affects NordVPN, Surfshark, ExpressVPN, Proton VPN, and CyberGhost, all ordered to block 203 domains streaming events like the UEFA Champions League, Premier League, and Top 14 rugby. While Canal+ celebrates this win, the VPN Trust Initiative warns it could undermine ethical VPN operations, driving legitimate providers away from the French market.
Privacy and Security Concerns
Advocacy groups like the i2 Coalition argue that this broad blocking measure misplaces blame and won’t effectively curb piracy. Instead, they caution that such actions threaten internet privacy, risk collateral damage, and may encourage less ethical actors to fill the void if major VPNs exit the French market, similar to what happened in India after strict logging laws were introduced in 2022.
What’s Next for VPNs and Users in France?
VPN providers like NordVPN are now assessing how to comply with the ruling while safeguarding user privacy. Whether they stay in France or withdraw, this case could set the tone for global VPN policy, signaling rising pressures on encrypted services worldwide. Sports fans, meanwhile, face new hurdles in accessing blocked international streams.
FAQs
Q: Which sports events are affected by the VPN block?
A: The block covers sites illegally streaming the UEFA Champions League, Premier League, Ligue 1, and Top 14 rugby matches.
Q: Will VPN providers leave France over this ruling?
A: It’s possible. Similar measures in India led to major VPNs withdrawing to protect user privacy, and France may face the same outcome.
Q: Does this mean VPNs are now illegal in France?
A: No, VPNs remain legal, but they are now required to block specific piracy-related domains under this new ruling.
