Proposed U.S. Bill Could Enable Mass Website Blocks Without Safeguards

A new U.S. copyright bill published by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) allows copyright holders to order entire websites blocked without proof of infringement, raising concerns about restrict

The Electronic Frontier Foundation published the DEFEND IP Act on October 2, 2026, proposing a site-blocking mechanism for U.S. service providers. This bill would permit copyright holders to request court-ordered website-wide blocks without requiring evidence of specific infringement instances—a significant shift from current systems like the DMCA, which include challenge pathways. The legislation scales existing copyright enforcement but removes safeguards against collateral harm to lawful speech, including potential deplatforming of protected content. Critics argue it could enable mass website blocking without mechanisms to deter bad faith actions or provide remedies for affected users.

This proposal risks reducing access to information by allowing broad restrictions on online resources. If enacted, it could create barriers for users relying on decentralized networks where lawful content is hosted across multiple platforms. The bill’s current scope and name are subject to congressional revision, and its publication date (October 2, 2026) is a future date as of current knowledge.

What to watch: Congressional revisions to the bill’s name and scope. The EFF warns this legislation lacks critical safeguards to prevent unintended restrictions on speech and information access. Without changes, it could weaken protections for online resources that serve diverse communities.

Source: EFF Deeplinks