Cloudflare is appealing a $16.4 million fine from Italy's AGCOM for refusing to block websites on its 1.1.1.1 DNS service under the Piracy Shield law. The law requires DNS providers to block domains within 30 minutes of copyright complaints.
Cloudflare argues the mandate breaks internet architecture and causes overblocking, with no judicial oversight. The company says the fine was improperly calculated using global revenue, not Italian earnings.
The firm is challenging Piracy Shield in Italian courts and with the EU, citing violations of the Digital Services Act. Cloudflare previously threatened to withdraw from Italy if forced to comply.
