Piracy/Italy: Cloudflare fined €14.2m by AGCOM for failing to block illegal content

The American service provider Cloudflare has been fined €14.2m for failing to comply with an order issued by the Italian Communications Regulatory Authority aimed at combating the illegal distribution of content, said AGCOM on 08/01/2026

The authority notably accused Cloudflare of failing to block access to illegal content streams reported by rights holders via the Piracy Shield platform. Launched in Italy by AGCOM on 01/02/2024, the platform enables websites broadcasting content illegally - including live sports streams - to be blocked within 30 minutes of being reported.

AGCOM had ordered Cloudflare, through a decision issued on 18/02/2025, to block this content. However, the US company "did not take the necessary measures, even after notification of the order, and continued to take no action to combat the use of its services for the dissemination of illegal content," said the authority, adding that "Cloudflare’s conduct must be regarded as very serious, as it plays a decisive role in the distribution of content in breach of copyright, causing significant economic and social harm"…