This represents nearly two-thirds (63%) of the illicit online sports audience, according to Arcom, born in January from the merger between the CSA (the audiovisual regulator) and Hadopi (a structure responsible for combating internet piracy).

These are "more than encouraging, spectacular results", commented Denis Rapone, in charge of the protection of creation and the fight against sports piracy at Arcom, during a press conference marking the first 100 days. of the instance.

These blockages were allowed by the so-called anti-piracy or anti-streaming law, effective since January.

The beneficiaries of the competitions can seize the judge to request the blocking.

Also seized by the beneficiaries, Arcom can ask Internet service providers to block illegal services that appeared after the court decision and which broadcast the same competitions without authorization.

Five court decisions have been obtained so far, recalled Mr. Rapone: four for the benefit of the Canal + and BeIN Sports channels for football (Champions League and African Cup of Nations) and rugby (Top 14), and one for the benefit of the Professional Football League (LFP) for Ligue 1 and 2.

Between court decisions and Arcom proceedings, a total of "250 sites have been blocked" since January 1, he said.

At the end of March, Canal+, BeIN Sports and the LFP welcomed these blockages.

In addition, still within the framework of its new attributions, Arcom will house from June a "qualified personality", the magistrate Laurence Pécaut-Rivolier, on the fight against terrorist and child pornography content.

According to the law, this personality is responsible for controlling the activity of the office made up of gendarmes and police officers which rules on this content via the Pharos platform.

In 2020, this represented "55,000 decisions to withdraw, block, delist", she explained on Tuesday.

Child pornography sites constitute "the vast majority", but the proportion "of terrorist sites (...) continues to increase", she underlined.

Previously, this "qualified personality" was attached to the CNIL (National Commission for Computing and Liberties).

© 2022 AFP