End of web blocks: Court overturns blocking order against Pornhub & Co.

A recent ruling by the Neustadt Administrative Court has overturned website blocking orders targeting platforms like Pornhub, marking a significant shift in how digital content moderation will be handled in Germany. This decision emphasizes the supremacy of the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) over national-level blocking measures, signaling a move towards a more harmonized approach to online content regulation across the European Union. The court's intervention underscores the complex interplay between national sovereignty and EU digital law. The core of the ruling lies in the argument that the DSA provides a comprehensive framework for content moderation and user protection, rendering Germany's individual blocking directives obsolete in this context. This means that platforms operating within the EU now fall under a unified set of rules, reducing the fragmentation that previously allowed for divergent national enforcement actions. The court's decision effectively reasserts the DSA's role in establishing a common standard for online services. This judgment directly impacts internet service providers, content platforms, and ultimately, users, by standardizing the legal landscape for online content access and moderation within the EU. The implications suggest that future attempts at implementing unilateral website blocks by member states will face significant legal challenges, potentially strengthening the position of digital platforms and promoting greater consistency in their operational frameworks across Europe. This development is a key step in the ongoing effort to achieve a more integrated European digital single market.