A recent court ruling in Spain could have major implications for VPN users and the fight against illegal football streaming. A commercial court in Córdoba has ordered two major VPN providers — Proton VPN and NordVPN — to block access to IP addresses linked to pirate football streams.

The request came from LaLiga, Spain’s top professional football league, along with broadcasting partner Telefónica Audiovisual Digital. The ruling represents a significant shift in how anti-piracy enforcement is being handled in Spain.

Why This Ruling Is Different

Until now, anti-piracy efforts have mainly targeted internet service providers (ISPs), requiring them to block websites that host or link to illegal streams. This new ruling goes a step further.

Instead of focusing only on ISPs or streaming websites, the court has classified VPN services as “technological intermediaries.” That means the court believes VPN providers have some responsibility to prevent copyright infringement carried out through their networks.

The order requires the VPN companies to block specific IP addresses associated with illegal live football streams. Importantly, the blocking is described as “dynamic,” meaning LaLiga can continuously update the list of IP addresses as new pirate streams appear — potentially even during live matches.

VPN Companies Not Present at the Hearing

One of the most controversial aspects of the case is that neither Proton VPN nor NordVPN were reportedly present when the precautionary measures were granted. The ruling was issued “inaudita parte,” a legal term meaning the decision was made without first hearing from the affected parties due to claimed urgency.

According to public statements, both VPN providers said they only became aware of the court order after it had already been issued and reported in the media. They have raised concerns about not being given the opportunity to present arguments or challenge the measures beforehand. This procedural detail has added to the debate about fairness and due process in fast-moving anti-piracy cases.

In a post on X, Proton VPN confirms that the company “has not been formally notified.”

“Spanish courts, like all courts operating under the rule of law, are bound by procedural safeguards that ensure parties are given a fair opportunity to present their case before any binding judgment is rendered,” wrote the provider.

What Does This Mean for VPN Users?

The court order does not require VPN providers to monitor users’ browsing activity or decrypt traffic. VPNs typically cannot see the actual content of encrypted traffic anyway. Instead, the blocking would happen at the network level, by preventing connections to certain IP addresses.

However, this approach could have side effects. Many VPN servers use shared IP infrastructure, meaning that blocking a particular IP address could affect legitimate services hosted on the same network. In theory, some users in Spain could experience temporary connection issues unrelated to piracy.

Both Proton VPN and NordVPN have reportedly stated that they had not been formally notified of the ruling at the time of public reporting and have raised concerns about due process.

The Legal Context

The ruling relies partly on the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which defines the responsibilities of online intermediaries. By treating VPNs as intermediaries with obligations, the court is expanding the scope of anti-piracy enforcement beyond traditional targets.

Spain is not alone in this trend. Similar efforts have been seen in other European countries, as rights holders push for stronger measures against illegal IPTV services and live sports piracy.

A Bigger Debate

This case highlights a growing tension between copyright enforcement and internet privacy. VPNs are widely used for legitimate purposes — including online privacy, remote work, and secure public Wi-Fi connections. Critics argue that expanding enforcement to VPN providers could raise broader concerns about neutrality and digital rights.

For now, the ruling signals that Spain is taking an aggressive stance against pirate football streams. Whether this approach spreads further across Europe — and how VPN companies respond — remains to be seen.