Secret German Censorship Organization CUII Exposed: Uncontrolled Power Over Internet Blockades
2024-12-19
A private organization in Germany, the CUII, secretly controls website blocking, bypassing courts and transparency mechanisms. Composed of major German ISPs and copyright holders, controlling over 85% of the German internet market, the CUII decides which sites to block without judicial approval, leading to numerous wrongful blocks. A 17-year-old student exposed the CUII's secret blocklist, sparking media attention and public outcry, forcing the CUII to lift some wrongful blocks. This highlights the risks of power imbalances and lack of transparency, raising crucial questions about internet censorship and copyright law.