Full Breakdown
Spanish Court Orders VPNs to Block Illegal Football Streams
2/18/2026, 2:46:11 AM
Court Ruling Overview
On February 17, 2026, the Commercial Court No. 1 of Córdoba, Spain, issued a ruling requiring NordVPN and Proton VPN to block access to specific IP addresses associated with illegal streaming of La Liga football matches. This decision classifies VPN providers as "technological intermediaries" under the European Digital Services Act (DSA), obligating them to actively prevent copyright infringement through their services. The ruling allows La Liga to dynamically update the list of banned IPs in real-time during matches, significantly enhancing its ability to combat piracy.
Implications for VPN Users
The court's order mandates that NordVPN and Proton VPN implement technical measures to block access to IP addresses identified as sources of unauthorized streams. This requirement raises concerns about potential collateral damage, as blocking a single IP could disconnect multiple users who share that address for legitimate purposes. Both VPN providers have stated they were not formally notified of the proceedings and have expressed concerns about the implications of the ruling on user privacy and access.
Broader Context of Anti-Piracy Measures
This ruling is part of a broader trend in Europe, where countries like France have also taken steps to curb illegal streaming. In France, the Ligue de Football Professionnel secured a court order requiring VPNs to block access to specific pirate domains. However, the Spanish ruling extends further by targeting the VPNs' infrastructure directly, rather than just specific sites. This approach follows previous actions taken by La Liga, including a December 2024 ruling that allowed the league to block IP addresses associated with Cloudflare, which reportedly caused widespread outages for legitimate services.
Official Statements & Responses
La Liga, in collaboration with Telefónica Audiovisual Digital, has emphasized the necessity of these measures to protect its audiovisual rights. The court's decision is seen as a significant step in the ongoing battle against piracy, with La Liga asserting that it is committed to preserving the integrity of its broadcasts.
In contrast, both NordVPN and Proton VPN have criticized the ruling. Proton VPN stated, "Any order issued without proper notification would be procedurally invalid," highlighting the importance of due process. NordVPN echoed similar sentiments, asserting that it was unaware of any judicial proceedings and criticized the effectiveness of blocking measures, arguing they fail to address the root causes of piracy.
Criticism & Opposition
Privacy advocates have raised alarms about the potential for collateral damage resulting from the ruling. They argue that the dynamic blocking of IP addresses could inadvertently affect legitimate users, including remote workers and privacy-conscious individuals. Critics contend that targeting VPNs as intermediaries may not effectively combat piracy and could instead hinder user access to essential online services.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While both VPN providers have publicly stated they were not notified of the court proceedings, the court's ruling was made "inaudita parte," meaning it was issued without the defendants present. This procedural aspect has led to questions about the fairness and transparency of the legal process involved.
Conclusion
The ruling against NordVPN and Proton VPN marks a pivotal moment in the enforcement of anti-piracy measures in Spain, reflecting a growing trend across Europe to hold technology providers accountable for facilitating copyright infringement. As the situation develops, the implications for user privacy and access to legitimate services remain a critical concern.
