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Around 1,000 UK sports fans engaged in illegal streaming could be visited by authorities in the coming weeks amid a massive anti-piracy crackdown.
As part of the so-called Operation RiderWest Mercia police seized the database of an illicit streaming platform, allowing officers to track down the names of subscribers who took advantage of the illicit service.
The UK-based illegal streaming platform was responsible for delivering entertainment and sports content via custom boxes, Firesticks and subscriptions.
Organization against piracy FACT (opens in new tab) not only came together with UK police forces to remind users that illegal streaming is a crime, but also to warn them about the online risks associated with it, such as malware and other cyber-attacks.
All this shows how the fight against piracy has taken a turn recently, with ISPs, DNS services and even the best VPN providers increasingly being sued for copyright infringement.
We’re happy to partner with @factuk, @ROCUWM and the Government Agency Intelligence Network (GAIN) to raise awareness about the risks of illegal streaming. 📺💻More information 👇 https://t.co/JgOZi79rUTJanuary 10, 2023
Piracy – not just a legal issue
When it comes to illegal streaming, it’s easy to overlook potential criminal charges. This is especially true for users who just want to watch a movie or football match on their own device for free.
However, as FACT pointed out, it is important for people to understand that there is a concrete risk of criminal prosecution.
“In 2021, two individuals, Paul Faulkner and Stephen Millington, were sentenced to a total of 16 months in prison for watching unauthorized streams,” the company noted in a blog post (opens in new tab).
What’s worse, legal charges are only one side of the coin with illegal streaming.
“Access to movies, TV shows and live sporting events from unauthorized sources is illegal, can expose consumers to risks such as data theft and malware, and can help fund organized crime groups,” said Gary Robinson, Detective Superintendent of the Police Department. Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU).
A recent investigation of 50 illegal streaming sites found that all the platforms analyzed showed malicious content, FACT reported.
From viruses and adware to spyware and Trojans, this malware can infect users’ devices without even having to click on dangerous content. Access to these types of platforms is enough to run the risk of an attack.
Users confirmed such predictions, with around half of UK illegal streamers reporting having been or knowing someone who had been a victim of identity theft, phishing scams, financial fraud or data loss due to piracy-related activity.
“By collaborating and sharing information legally and efficiently, the network aims to ensure that government agencies and law enforcement help reduce the risk, threat and harm from serious and organized crime,” said Jason Grove, National Coordinator at the Government Intelligence Service. Network (GAIN).
When asked about the implications for UK streamers involved in the case, FACT told TorrentFreak (opens in new tab) that no legal proceedings are planned at this stage.