Italy: Piracy Shield could breach EU Digital Services Act

Rome: Piracy Shield, the new anti-piracy system implemented by the Italian communications regulator AGCOM has attracted the attention of the European Commission.

One of the system’s most notable features is its rapid response; within 30 minutes, a suspicious website can be blacklisted. This has been particularly beneficial to the owners of sports rights, where time is everything, and substantial financial losses can soon be racked up.

However, the approach has raised concerns over prior judicial oversight and the individual’s right to a defence. Add to this issues with the Google CDN that shut users out of YouTube and Google Drive.

The technical specifications of Piracy Shield have not been fully disclosed, leading to questions about the platform’s governance. The management of the system falls to SP Tech, a subsidiary of Lega Serie A, which stands to benefit directly from its operation.

Concerns over a potential conflict of interest have led the Computer & Communications Industry Association to submit a complaint to the European Union, citing possible breaches of the Digital Services Act and Open Internet regulations.

AGCOM Commissioner Massimiliano Capitanio has defended the Piracy Shield, arguing that it that positions Italy at the forefront of combating illegal streaming.