That Düsseldorf Administrative Court decided on November 19, 2025 to temporarily suspend network blocking of two major access providers. In June 2020, the State Media Authority NRW ordered a service provider from Cyprus to open its pornographic sites in Germany is no longer allowed to spread. This decision was initially confirmed by the Administrative Court of Düsseldorf and the High Administrative Court of North Rhine-Westphalia, and the case was considered closed.
However, new legal developments in Europe and nationally are changing this situation. The provider then applied for the ban and blocking to be lifted. His urgent request was partially successful: providers no longer need to block affected sites for now.
EU law on national protection of minors
In their ruling, the judges made clear their reasons for suspending the blocking of the network: In their opinion, the legal basis, the main provisions of the State Treaty on the Protection of Minors in the Media, is contrary to European law. In particular, this refers to Europe’s freedom to provide services.
This ensures the digital offering becomes one EU-operated legally in a Member State cannot be blocked in another country without good reason. In the court’s judgment, national youth protection regulations alone are not enough to guarantee freedom of movement more digital to limit services. Therefore, the blocking order was temporarily lifted until the main court made a final decision.
The ban on operators remains in effect
However, the situation is still difficult for Cypriot operators themselves. The existing prohibition order against his page continues to apply. The court denied his urgent request on this matter as there is currently no immediate threat of enforcement action.
Although network blocking was partially successful, the process is not complete. Service providers can submit complaints to the High Administrative Court of North Rhine-Westphalia, which confirmed its previous decision in April 2023. It remains to be seen when final clarification will take place, but one thing is clear: the dispute between national youth protection and European freedom to provide services is entering its next chapter.
