H.R. 10364 forces ISPs, VPNs, and DNS providers to block foreign piracy sites

A new federal proposal changes how internet infrastructure handles copyright enforcement. The American Copyright Protection Act of 2026 shifts the burden of blocking piracy onto service providers. This matters because it forces ISPs, DNS resolvers, and VPN operators to actively censor foreign content. Users relying on these tools for privacy or access may face sudden, unexplained connection blocks.

Federal mandate shifts censorship burden to internet infrastructure

The legislation, identified as H.R. 10364, targets the technical gateways of the internet. It requires these services to block access to sites designated as foreign piracy hubs. The mandate covers standard internet providers, domain name systems, and virtual private networks. Public Wi-Fi networks and small ISPs with fewer than 100,000 monthly users remain exempt from these requirements.

Court orders drive the implementation of these blocks. Providers must act on issued orders, with standard deadlines falling between 14 and 30 days. The bill introduces faster timelines for live sports and time-sensitive events. If a leak occurs within 24 hours, the blocking deadline shortens significantly to prevent widespread distribution.

Legal ambiguity creates uncertainty for service providers. The text lacks clear definitions for traffic originating 'from the United States' when routed through VPNs or CDNs. Providers fear liability and may adopt heavy-handed blocking strategies to stay safe. The bill does not protect encryption, raising concerns about broad censorship and collateral damage to legitimate traffic.