Disney and Warner Bros. declare war on VPNs: the end of anonymity?

Virtual private networks (VPNs) are a digital lifeline for millions of users. But Hollywood, led by Disney, Warner Bros., and Netflix, has declared war, accusing them of being a shield for piracy and demanding their ban. The result? A legal battle that could change the way you browse forever.

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have become an essential tool for millions of people around the world. They allow users to protect their privacy on public Wi-Fi networks, access streaming catalogs from other countries, and purchase products at lower prices. However, this bastion of digital anonymity is now in the crosshairs of Hollywood giants.

The Motion Picture Association (MPA), the powerful lobby representing studios like Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Netflix, has launched an unprecedented legal offensive, calling VPNs a "piracy tool" and demanding drastic measures that could lead to their blocking or banning.

The accusation: accomplices in piracy?

The MPA's central argument is that VPNs are part of a "network of intermediaries" that facilitate large-scale piracy. According to the association, these services, along with proxy servers and hosting providers, allow operators of illegal sites to circumvent court blocks and continue distributing copyrighted content.

The crackdown has the support of the European Commission, which in 2023 urged affected sectors to submit reports on the impact of VPNs on intellectual property. The key date is November 17, 2025, when these complaints will be assessed and new regulations could be proposed at the European level.

In France, pressure has already yielded results. A court ordered several VPN providers to block access to illegal sports streaming sites, setting a dangerous precedent for the industry.

Collateral damage: What happens to legitimate users?

The main problem with this "war on VPNs" is that, in its attempt to curb piracy, it could drag down millions of users who use these services for completely legitimate and legal purposes.

* Privacy and Security: Many users rely on VPNs to protect their data from prying eyes, especially when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks in airports, coffee shops, or hotels.

* Remote Work: Companies use VPNs to allow their employees to securely access corporate networks from home.

* Access Legal Content: Travelers and expats use VPNs to access streaming service catalogs they pay for in their home countries, but which are geo-blocked abroad.

* Freedom of Expression: In countries with authoritarian regimes and censorship, VPNs are a vital tool for accessing free information and protecting journalists and activists.

"Restricting VPN use goes against the principle of privacy by design and could open the door to a more intrusive model of digital surveillance." – Statement by privacy advocates on the European proposals.

VPN providers' stance: "We are not the internet police"

Major VPN providers, such as NordVPN and ExpressVPN, have categorically rejected the accusations. Their business model is based precisely on privacy and a no-log policy.

They argue that forcing them to monitor and block their users' traffic would not only violate privacy but also turn them into a kind of internet police force, a role they shouldn't. The VPN Trust Initiative (VTI), which brings together several of these companies, has stated that "targeting VPN services for activities they don't allow or promote is a misguided and disproportionate approach."

Some providers have even threatened to leave markets like France if they are forced to implement blocks, as has already happened in countries like India, where data retention laws conflict with their privacy policies.

The uncertain future of online anonymity

The battle is on. On one side, an entertainment industry determined to protect its intellectual property at all costs. On the other, a technology that has become synonymous with privacy and online freedom for millions.

The outcome of this confrontation, which will be decided in the courts and parliaments in the coming months, could have profound consequences. A scenario where VPNs are forced to log their users' activity or implement automated blocking systems would be a game-changer, eroding trust and leaving legitimate users more exposed. The year 2025 is shaping up to be a turning point for the future of online anonymity.