The shift from traditional premium TV subscriptions to illicit streaming services has become increasingly common, with a surge in the popularity of unauthorized streaming devices like “dodgy Fire TV Sticks.” These devices offer access to sports and movies for a fraction of the cost or even for free on an annual basis.
However, the rise in illegal streaming has not gone unnoticed by authorities and content providers. Efforts are being made to warn consumers about the risks associated with piracy and to crack down on unofficial streaming services. In a recent operation, law enforcement successfully disrupted an illegal streaming platform, leading to the arrest of two individuals in their 30s.
The Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) conducted searches at two residential addresses in Oldbury and a data center in Cheltenham. A 30-year-old man suspected of operating the illegal streaming service and a 32-year-old woman suspected of distributing copyrighted material and receiving criminal proceeds were taken into custody.
PIPCU’s investigation revealed that the suspects had generated substantial profits from the illicit service. In addition to the arrests, content servers associated with the platform were seized, halting the transmission of streams to users.
Detective Constable Daryl Fryatt of PIPCU emphasized the unit’s commitment to combating illegal streaming activities, highlighting the negative impact on the creative and entertainment industries, as well as the potential risks to end users such as data theft and malware exposure.
Matt Hibbert, Group Director of Anti-Piracy at Sky, commended PIPCU’s actions against the pirate operation and affirmed ongoing collaboration with law enforcement and industry partners to combat piracy and disrupt criminal networks.
Viewing content through illegal streams poses various risks, including exposure to malware and inappropriate material. While the likelihood of facing legal consequences for using unauthorized streaming services is low, supporting such activities may inadvertently fund criminal organizations and come with potential hazards.
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