Access to websites and IP addresses used for the unlawful distribution of television programs sanctioned by the European Union will be restricted in Lithuania.

Such a decision was adopted by the Radio and Television Commission of Lithuania (LRTK). Internet service providers have been ordered to remove access to the identified IP addresses and domains no later than within two working days.

The LRTK determined that some platforms that had previously been blocked continued to allow users to access prohibited content by circumventing the imposed restrictions — for example, by changing DNS settings or using IPTV services.

During monitoring activities, the Commission identified 27 IP addresses and 33 internet domains through which users were able to access television programs subject to European Union sanctions, including “Pervyi Kanal,” “Rossiya 1,” NTV, and others.

“This is a consistent effort to prevent the online distribution of sanctioned content. We see that even after restrictions are applied, attempts emerge to circumvent them, which is why we are taking additional measures,” said LRTK Chairperson Mantas Martišius.

According to LRTK data, since 2018 the Commission has adopted 52 decisions ordering the blocking of access to 282 illegally operating websites. This demonstrates that unlawful content distribution and attempts to evade sanctions remain an ongoing problem.

The Commission emphasizes that access restrictions apply only to sources that violate legal requirements or provide access to content prohibited within the European Union.