From Quad9 · · 2m
Quad9 Leaves France
Quad9 ends free DNS service in France after court rules against its privacy protections.
In brief
Quad9 ends free DNS service in France after court rules against its privacy protections. Quad9 will stop providing free DNS security to French users starting November 24, 2026, due to a court ruling that forces it to block domain names for copyright infringement claims. Originally reported by Quad9.
Farewell, France
Quad9 will no longer offer free cyberprotection to users in France starting November 24, 2026.
Court Ruling
French courts ruled against Quad9 in a major case that undermines internet transparency and stability.
Financial Penalty
The court reduced Quad9's daily penalty from €580,000 to €1,000, but compliance remains impossible.
Principle Over Compliance
Quad9 refuses to block DNS resolution for French users as it violates its mission to protect privacy and internet integrity.
Why Compliance Fails
Quad9 has no user database by jurisdiction, so it cannot identify French users to comply with the ruling.
Global Blocking Option
Adding domain names to global malicious blocking would apply French law worldwide, which Quad9 rejects.
GeoIP Blocking Problem
GeoIP blocking fails because French courts have previously fined Quad9 for circumventing blocks using VPNs.
Sony Case Experience
Quad9 lost a case against Sony in 2021-2023, which cost six figures and delayed services for years.
Decision to Leave
Quad9 will withdraw services from France starting November 24, 2026, to avoid legal risks and stay true to its mission.
Impact on Users
French users lose cybersecurity protection as Quad9 serves critical networks including government, education, and healthcare.
Why This Matters
Forcing DNS blocking harms French digital sovereignty and privacy, contradicting national interests for short-term gains.
What Happens Next
Quad9 will appeal the ruling and continue legal defense while urging french citizens to advocate for internet freedom.
Partial French Networks
Quad9 serves networks including government agencies, universities, hospitals, and regional authorities in France.
The Real Problem
DNS blocking is ineffective against piracy as content remains available under new names, making legal actions counterproductive.
Call to Action
French citizens should tell legislators that name lookups are not criminal offenses to protect internet freedom.
What matters most
Quad9 will stop providing free DNS security to French users starting November 24, 2026, due to a court ruling that forces it to block domain names for copyright infringement claims.
