Cloudflare founder fined $17 million in Italy for rejecting censorship demands
Matthew Prince, the founder of Cloudflare, was fined $17 million in Italy for the company's refusal to censor websites by removing them within 30 minutes of notification without a court order. This decision by Italian regulators could have far-reaching implications for the global internet.
Cloudflare has warned that such a mandate risks the blocking of numerous internet resources not only in Italy but worldwide. In response, the company is considering suspending cybersecurity services for the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, as well as for users based in Italy. Moreover, Cloudflare plans to withdraw all servers from Italy and cancel investment plans for new office openings in the country.
This case may set a precedent influencing internet regulation policies beyond Italy and pose new challenges for global cybersecurity businesses.
