A crackdown on illegal streaming activities has resulted in the shutdown of a major platform that provided unauthorized access to premium channels, including sports and movies, from Sky TV. The operation, which unfolded in Manchester last week, led to the arrest of four individuals and the confiscation of equipment worth £750,000.
The investigation was initiated following reports from Sky regarding suspicious activities related to a large-scale illegal streaming network. The culprits were accused of operating an unlawful IPTV service catering to millions of users in the UK. One suspect allegedly profited over £3 million from the illicit scheme, causing widespread disruption to the illegal service nationwide.
While users who accessed the illegal streams have not been directly targeted, they will now face blocked access to the content they were viewing. Detective Constable Jordan Day from the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) emphasized the organized criminal nature of such services, highlighting the substantial illegal profits involved.
Matt Hibbert, Group Director of Anti-Piracy at Sky, commended the swift action taken by authorities against the pirate operation. He underscored Sky’s commitment to safeguarding their content investment and collaborating with law enforcement and industry partners to combat piracy networks. Additionally, he warned viewers of illegal streams about the risks associated with malware and security threats, citing research indicating that a majority of illegal streamers have encountered such issues.
The joint effort between law enforcement and media companies aims to protect the integrity of broadcasting and ensure the safety of consumers from potential cybersecurity threats linked to illegal streaming activities.