A significant crackdown on an illegal streaming platform has led to the closure of a service that had been allowing households to access Sky TV content without paying the standard subscription fees. Last week, in Manchester, a major police operation resulted in the arrest of four individuals and the seizure of equipment valued at £750,000.
The investigation was initiated following reports of suspicious activities related to a large-scale illegal streaming operation by Sky. The unauthorized IPTV service, catering to millions of users across the UK, was allegedly operated by individuals who amassed substantial profits, with one suspect believed to have earned over £3 million. Although homes utilizing the illegal streams have not been targeted by law enforcement, they will no longer be able to access the content on their TVs.
Detective Constable Jordan Day from the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) at the City of London Police emphasized the criminal nature of illegal IPTV streaming services, highlighting the organized criminal activities that generate significant illicit gains. The collaboration between law enforcement agencies and industry partners like Sky aims to dismantle these illegal networks and hold piracy profiteers accountable.
Matt Hibbert, Group Director of Anti-Piracy at Sky, commended the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit for taking swift action against a major pirate operation. He stressed the importance of safeguarding content investments and disrupting criminal networks behind piracy to protect consumers from security risks associated with illegal streaming.
Research by BeStreamWise has shown that nearly 65% of illegal stream viewers have encountered security issues like malware through unlawful streaming methods. Taking down such illegal operations not only protects content integrity but also ensures the safety of consumers, their devices, and personal data.
This coordinated effort underscores the commitment to combat piracy and safeguard the broadcasting industry, delivering a clear message to those profiting from piracy that they will face consequences for their actions.