Internet society Condemns IP & DNS Blocking as Ineffective and Damaging
The Internet Society, founded by the creators of the TCP/IP protocol (Vinton cerf and Robert Kahn), is strongly opposing the increasing use of IP address and DNS-based blocking as methods to curb access to illegal online content.The association argues thes tactics are not only largely ineffective, but actively harm legitimate internet services and users.
The Society illustrates the problem with a stark analogy: blocking an IP address is like closing a street containing hospitals, schools, and homes – disrupting essential services for many. This is especially relevant in Spain, where LaLiga and Telefónica utilize IP blocking on weekends to target pirate streaming sites, inadvertently blocking legitimate businesses sharing the same IP addresses. For example, a single server hosting both an illegal stream and a small e-commerce site would see the latter blocked alongside the former, disrupting legal commerce.
The report highlights two primary blocking methods:
* IP Address Blocking: Prevents TCP/IP connections to specific IP addresses, cutting off dialog with targeted servers.
* DNS Blocking: Manipulates the Domain Name System (DNS) to redirect users away from blocked domains, making content appear inaccessible.
However, the Internet Society emphasizes that blocking doesn’t eliminate illegal content – it simply drives those intent on accessing it to find option methods. Instances like Italy’s “Piracy shield” demonstrate this, having previously blocked access to services like Google Drive and Cloudflare in attempts to stop illegal sports streaming.
Rather of resorting to blocking,the Internet Society advocates for focusing on addressing the source of illegal content and reserving blocking as a last resort. When blocking is unavoidable,it must adhere to due legal process,be subject to independent review,be narrowly scoped,and be fully transparent. Crucially,the report stresses that internet service providers should not be forced to act as law enforcement agents.
Ultimately, the Internet Society’s opposition stems from the fact that these blocking techniques “undermine the fundamental properties of the Internet,” altering its core architecture and jeopardizing its open, accessible, and resilient nature.
