Hundreds of illegal streaming sites blocked in the UK

New measures in the UK target illegal streaming services amid rising piracy concerns.

Hundreds of illegal streaming sites blocked for UK viewers

Hundreds of illegal streaming sites have been blocked for UK viewers, becoming impossible to access even with a VPN. This crackdown began earlier this month when Cloudflare, a major internet infrastructure company, implemented geo-blocking measures. Visitors attempting to enter these sites will encounter Cloudflare's Error HTTP 451, indicating that access is denied due to illegality. A court order, originating from a private law firm and executed in collaboration with Google, has led to the blocking of potentially up to 200 piracy sites, marking a significant escalation in efforts to combat online piracy in the UK and Europe. Similar recent efforts in France resulted in a ruling that mandated VPN providers to restrict access to illegal sports streaming sites.

This decisive action reflects a growing commitment to uphold copyright laws and protect the entertainment industry from piracy losses. With increasing reliance on streaming services, the government and private entities are keenly aware of the risks illegal sites pose to both consumers and legitimate businesses. The inability to bypass these restrictions with VPNs marks a critical shift, suggesting that stronger measures may continuously evolve to deter piracy. As these developments unfold, the long-term impact on consumers’ viewing habits, particularly in relation to paid streaming services, remains to be seen.

Highlights

Future measures may further reshape views on online streaming access.