CloudFlare's service manages the dialogue between users and website hosting servers, reducing bandwidth burden and protecting against DDoS attacks and other threats. A convenient side effect of the service, however, is that its routing magic effectively hides information from ISPs, making it much more difficult for them to block access to TPB's main portal (thepiratebay.se). This has meant that where ISP-level blocks have existed previously, many of them no longer work, making TPB even easier to find than, well, it already is.

With CloudFlare, websites can afford extra security to users with Full SSL (Strict) encryption. Long story short, this strips certain identifiers from the traffic data ISPs use to block websites like TPB; since the information is routed through CloudFlare, website IP addresses are also hidden behind the delivery network. In the UK, where all major ISPs were strong-armed into blocking TPB in 2012, this has all but turned back time, with thepiratebay.se now accessible for Virgin, EE, BT and TalkTalk customers. Sky is the only popular provider still managing to block the site; you aren't notified, as such, but the page won't load anyhow. The UK isn't the only country that blocks TPB at an ISP level, of course, so it's likely the loophole exists in the European, Asian and Middle Eastern countries that employ the same piracy-squashing tactics.

Realistically, this doesn't change the status quo much, but highlights the futility of the ongoing campaign against TPB and internet piracy as a whole. Proxy sites already render ISP-level blocks ineffective, and though they themselves are now being targeted, they are restricted and reborn in equal measure. Not that they're currently needed when the main page itself is open for business, of course. The loophole may not remain open indefinitely, however, since CloudFlare is only said to be a temporary partner. Some users are troubled by the thought of their data passing through US-based CloudFlare's networks, and in response, TPB has said the company's assistance is only being used to handle traffic volumes for the time being.

Then there's the potential for legal action against CloudFlare, or additional accountability being placed on ISPs in places like the UK, forcing them to improve their blocking tactics. We'll have to see how it plays out, but there's little doubt TPB's enemies are currently scrambling to figure out their next move.

[Image credit: Getty Images/Flickr RF]