The future of VPN in France has been questioned as five leading VPN providers have lost a legal case of laughter.
On May 15, the Paris Judicial Court ruled in favor of Broadcaster Canal+ and France’s Football Governing Body, Lego de Football Professional (LFP).
VPN providers will now have to stop more than 200 “illegal sports series”, described as “legal top”.
The case includes some of the best VPN – Nord VPN, Surfshard, Express VPN, Protone VPN, and cybergost – and will yield potentially devastating results of the future of VPN and the French people in France.
Access is blocked
Five VPN providers have been ordered to stop access to 203 domain names used to illegally stream the UEFA Champions League, Premier League, and Top 14 matches – Canal+.
Canal+, who first took action against VPNS in February 2025, welcomed the decision in one Description. Broadcaster said it “sends a strong message regarding the responsibility of VPN providers.”
In this case, VPN was first labeled as a “technical bracelet”, the canal+ described its actions as “legal ideology”.
The decision has been condemned by the Group Internet Infrastructure (I2) Alliance, and its Working Group, VPN Trust Initiative (VTI).
VTIVPN consists of providers and promotes consumers’ safety and promoting Internet privacy as well as increases the understanding of VPNs.
In a statementThe I2 Alliance said that there was a danger of “internet integrity”.
The coalition said, “The French ruler not only misuses responsibility: it primarily threatens the privacy and safety of millions of consumers ahead of France and beyond.”
“This blocked approach – which has failed in the past – relies on two technical devices instead of the exact implementation tools to deal with the actual sources of piracy. So it will not reduce the violation, and only cause a widespread suicide attack.”
It added that “morally-driven VPNs do not host, store and promote illegal access to copyright content”-they are “prohibited” on it.
The I2 alliance expressed concern over the consequences of French Internet users. It states that “targeting these legitimate VPN providers can turn away from the French market – creating a place to fill falsehood for immoral and malicious actors.”
Limiting VPN is misleading and ineffective
VTI issued His own statement Commenting on the decision.
The group’s statement began, “blocking the level of infrastructure has failed to stop the maritime piracy permanently, while it has more and other non -intentions but potential consequences.”
It continues, saying that “this election point of view is sure to fail, as it targets the symptoms rather than resolving the main causes of piracy.”
VTI said he follows “global efforts to restrain online behavior” and noted the following trends:
- Over blocking spreads widely
- Content -related Internet pieces are getting fastened
- The collateral damage is severe
- Policy intervention often fails to meet his goals
The group argued that “blocking the level of infrastructure on neutral services is a wrong enforcement strategy that causes the damage related to its desired purpose”-he added that it does not eliminate the culprit content.
When the Internet’s technical implementation is talked about and the need for protection of Right Schilders is acknowledged, VTI emphasized “prevention, prevention and accountability”.
But it should not “come to the cost of sacrifice such as open, safe and private Internet access, such as open, safe and private Internet access.”
Prior to this decision, VPN providers did not comment on the proceedings individually, but now it will not happen.
Nord VPN acknowledged the decision: “We believe that in general, this decision will have a negative impact on France’s digital security.”
“Our team is currently examining all possible ways that are compatible with both our basic commitment to legal compliance and the freedom and privacy of our customers.”
“We have expected to provide more detailed information when we have fully reviewed the tribunal’s decision and determined our appropriate response.”
A historic battle
The Canal+ and the LFP had earlier launched this specific matter in 2025, but France has the history of attacks on Internet service providers (ISP) blocks and DNS solutions. Last year, a DNS blocking order was given in favor of the canal+.
As a result of such a decision, VPN providers can depart from France, or other countries. The move, which will significantly affect the people living there.
Christian Dawson, Executive Director of the I2 Alliance, indicated when Talking about the case from Toront Freak In February
In 2022, the legislature in India ordered VPN companies to submit logs about their customers, which is primarily against the basic principles of VPN. Many VPN providers, including Nord VPN, Express VPN, private Internet access, and IPVAsh – another VTI member – resulted in withdrawing from the country.
It is yet to be seen how the French ruler who responds to the VPN provider, but it is important to protect the user’s privacy – whether it means leaving the French market.
We test and evaluate VPN services in the context of legal recreation. For example: 1. Access to a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of this service). 2. When abroad, protect your online security and strengthen your online privacy. We do not support or condole the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. The use of pirate materials is not verified, nor is it verified or approved by future publication.