Lithuania’s approach to countering hybrid threats highlighted as a model for other countries
Lithuania’s efforts to combat digital piracy, disinformation, and other hybrid threats are gaining international recognition.
At a session of the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) Advisory Committee on Enforcement (ACE) in Geneva, Andrius Katinas, Head of the Market Participants Supervision Division at the Radio and Television Commission of Lithuania (LRTK), presented Lithuania’s approach to tackling online piracy. The presentation was later featured by the international technology and copyright publication TorrentFreak.
Drawing on materials published by WIPO, the article highlights Lithuania’s approach as a practical example for government authorities and rights holders in other countries. It notes that Lithuania views the fight against digital piracy not only as a matter of copyright protection, but also as an important tool for strengthening information security and cybersecurity resilience.
The presentation emphasized that modern anti-piracy measures serve a much broader purpose than copyright enforcement alone. They are also linked to protecting users’ personal data, preventing fraud, limiting the spread of disinformation, and strengthening resilience against hybrid threats.
Piracy, Disinformation, and Security
One of the key elements of the Lithuanian model is the connection between illegal IPTV services and the spread of disinformation.
According to the LRTK, some of the IPTV services monitored by the Commission retransmit Russian state-controlled television channels that are subject to European Union sanctions. As a result, blocking illegal broadcasts also helps reduce access to sanctioned propaganda channels and disinformation sources.
The TorrentFreak article also draws attention to the cybersecurity and privacy risks associated with piracy websites. One example highlighted is the major data breach involving the piracy platform Filmai, where approximately 645,000 email addresses, usernames, and unencrypted passwords were exposed more than five years ago.
According to the materials presented at WIPO, such leaked data can potentially be exploited in cyber operations conducted by hostile states. Among the exposed registration details were official email addresses belonging to employees of public institutions.
Using Technology to Respond Faster
Another distinguishing feature of Lithuania’s approach is the extensive use of open-source intelligence (OSINT) tools. These tools help identify operators of illegal services, monitor unlawful activities, and respond quickly to emerging threats.
The figures presented demonstrate the scale of enforcement efforts. In recent years, the LRTK has blocked more than 400 domains and 7,000 IP addresses, while more than 250 enforcement actions have been taken since 2023.
In addition to blocking measures, the Commission has used a range of other enforcement tools, including freezing bank accounts linked to illegal activities, removing links from search engines, restricting advertising on websites distributing illegal content, and preventing the distribution of unlawful IPTV applications.
One of the most distinctive aspects of the Lithuanian model is its centralized blocking system. When a new infringement or a mirror version of an already blocked website is identified, internet service providers receive a blocking order, allowing access to the relevant domain or IP address to be restricted nationwide in approximately twenty minutes.
A Model for Other Countries
According to WIPO’s published materials, Lithuania’s experience may offer valuable lessons for government authorities and rights holders in other countries.
The Lithuanian model is presented as a practical example of how DNS and IP address blocking measures, combined with OSINT tools, can be used to combat digital piracy, disinformation, and other related threats.
More broadly, Lithuania’s experience is increasingly being cited as an example of how copyright enforcement measures can also contribute to strengthening information security, cybersecurity, and resilience against hybrid threats.
The TorrentFreak article, “Lithuania Pitches Pirate Site Blocking as Defense Against Hybrid Warfare, Including Russian Disinformation,” is available here: