GoKawiilH.R. 10364 anti-piracy bill would require ISPs, DNS providers and VPNs to block foreign piracy sites
A new U.S. House bill, the American Copyright Protection Act of 2026 (H.R. 10364), would require internet service providers, DNS resolvers and VPN services to block foreign websites or services hosting pirated content for connections originating in the United States. Standard blocking orders would need court approval and take effect within 14 to 30 days, while a special provision for live sports and 'time-sensitive events' lets a judge shorten that window if pirated streams appear within 24 hours of broadcast. Providers with fewer than 100,000 monthly users, public networks, and root/TLD DNS operators would be exempt.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The bill's text does not specify how blocking must technically be implemented, which could push ISPs and DNS providers toward broad, precautionary blocking to avoid liability. It also leaves unaddressed how VPN providers—whose core function is to obscure and reroute traffic—could realistically comply, since enforcing geolocation-based blocks conflicts with the encryption and routing techniques VPNs rely on. This ambiguity suggests the law could have unintended effects on legitimate VPN and DNS users beyond its stated anti-piracy target.
- H.R. 10364 would force ISPs, DNS services and VPN providers to block foreign piracy sites for U.S. users.
- Live sports and other time-sensitive events could get expedited blocking orders within 24 hours of a leak.
- Small providers, public networks, and root/TLD DNS operators are exempted, but the bill leaves technical compliance and encryption issues unresolved.
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Published there as: “Federal bill would force VPN providers, ISPs, and DNS services to block foreign piracy sites”
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