The temptation to search for pirated content increases when times are tough. And times are tough. But that one illegal stream could lead to a whole host of unexpected problems.
Contrary to popular belief, illegal streaming isn’t a Robin Hood crime. Hackers, fraudsters and cybercriminals want to harvest your data for all sorts of reasons, but saving you money isn’t at the top of their list. Unfortunately, it’s quite the opposite.
That free movie download or discounted stream of the big game could come at a cost. It could involve hacking your device. Or worse, using that device to access your bank and credit card details.
Watching unauthorised TV content is illegal
Streaming, downloading or sharing unauthorised TV content, film or sports content is a crime.
It’s often claimed that illegally streaming is a ‘grey area’. It’s not. Anyone selling, distributing or allowing access to content without the permission of the copyright owner is committing a crime. But what you need to know is that anyone who is accessing content in this way is also committing a crime.
Don’t be fooled, people who provide unauthorised TV content aren’t Robin Hood characters providing free TV access for nothing. They are criminals, often with links to significant criminal organisations and activity. In fact, the money they make from people accessing their content is used to fund those crimes. That’s why police forces across Europe are clamping down on piracy.
With online streaming in high demand, law enforcement agencies are increasing their focus on dismantling pirate content networks, disabling illegal streams, sending offenders to jail and contacting people accessing illegal streams or downloads with the threat of prosecution.
At FACT, we’re supporting these law enforcement agencies to develop methods and techniques to effectively tackle all new and emerging threats.
See the latest news below:
In summary, if you illegally stream unauthorised content, the police may be tracking you right now and may be in touch with you soon.
Streaming illegally carries huge risks
Illegal streaming or downloading are extremely risky activities, which can leave you and your family at the mercy of malware, viruses, ransomware, scams and fraud.
Did you know that…
- Almost half (49%) of respondents who illegally stream in the UK say they or someone they know have been a victim of scams, ID theft, fraud or data loss as a result
- And 41% have been exposed to inappropriate content
*From a nationally representative sample of 1,000 respondents from Dynata, the world’s largest first-party data and insights platform, 2022.
The problem is that these risks are hidden from view. Illegal streaming and download services are designed to look professional and very similar to legitimate sites. And you may hear from friends that they’re fine to use and that no one ever gets a virus or hacked. But that’s simply not the case.
Here’s a quick guide to the risks:
WAYS TO WATCH CONTENT LEGALLY
There are many different services you can use to watch content legally.GET IT RIGHT FROM A GENUINE SITEprovides information on where to legitimately access content, including sports, TV, film, music, eBooks, and games.
FAQs
Beyond financial penalties, illegal live streaming carries the risk of criminal prosecution, which can result in incarceration. Internet directories of county jails have been used to find out if someone might be incarcerated in these desperately difficult times.
Do people ever get caught for illegal streaming? ›
NEW YORK — A Michigan man has been charged with criminal copyright infringement related to his operation of websites that illegally streamed live sporting event telecasts and pay-per-view events over the Internet. In a related action, 16 websites were seized.
Is it bad to use illegal streaming sites? ›
Illegal streaming, download websites and apps can spread malicious software that infects your device or network, putting your personal information at risk. Just by visiting one of these sites, without even clicking on content, you are at risk of receiving 'drive-by malware'.
How common is illegal streaming? ›
480,000 films and TV shows have been illegally streamed in the past two years, up 18 percent. The entertainment industry now recognises that eliminating piracy is unrealistic and instead focuses on making piracy sites less accessible.
What is illegal streaming called? ›
Online piracy or software piracy is the practice of downloading and distributing copyrighted works digitally without permission, such as music or software. The principle behind piracy has predated the creation of the Internet.
What is the penalty for watching illegal streams? ›
Engaging in or facilitating illegal live streaming is not a minor infraction—it's a direct violation of copyright laws that can lead to hefty fines and, in some cases, criminal charges. For viewers, penalties can range up to $30,000 for accessing pirated live content.
Is it illegal to watch 123Movies? ›
123Movies and other similar pirate sites violate copyright laws and operate in a legal gray area or even illegally. Using such a site is illegal in many countries. This can cause law enforcement agencies and copyright holders to monitor and track you for legal repercussions.
Can you get viruses from illegal streaming sites? ›
The FACT report cited one study that looked at US content theft sites and the research found one in every three websites exposed users to malware. This means that users who visited content theft sites were 28 times more likely to get malware from those sites than from legitimate websites or content providers.
What's the best illegal streaming service? ›
List of Popular Illegal Streaming Sites
- 123movies. Operating from Vietnam, the site allowed users to stream and download trending TV shows and series without signing up. ...
- Moviesjoy. ...
- Vumoo. ...
- Roja Directa. ...
- Flixtor. ...
- Soap2day. ...
- Putlocker. ...
- FMovies.
It's not actually illegal to own a cracked Fire Stick, but you are breaking the law if you use it to bypass paid-for subscriptions, whether for sport, films or any other content. If you're looking to buy a Fire Stick, don't be tempted by offers on eBay or Facebook Marketplace, no matter how cheap they are.
TV shows remain most popular among pirates, with 106.9 billion visits to TV-pirating sites in 2017. Piracy is not just about music and movies; the constant demand for popular TV shows is stronger than ever. TV shows remain the most popular among pirates, with 106.9 billion visits to pirated movie sites in 2017.
Which country has the highest piracy rate? ›
Which countries have the highest piracy rates? The United States, Russia, India, and China are among the countries with the highest piracy rates. These countries not only have high internet penetration but also varying levels of enforcement of copyright laws, contributing to the high rates of piracy.
Is it illegal to live stream? ›
The location where the live streaming is taking place will play a factor, as well as indicate the reasonable expectation of privacy. If you're not on company property, you'll likely need to get a location release from the property owner in order to legally broadcast the venue space.
How do illegal streamers make money? ›
There are now thousands of pirated TV services around the globe. Their collective revenues, according to most estimates, have reached nine or 10 figures. Websites make their money primarily by selling cheap ads, via services like PopAds, who offer a few bucks per 1,000 impressions.
Why are illegal streaming sites bad? ›
Viruses and Malware
Illegal streaming sites are typically very heavily infected with malware. Hackers often make the content freely available illegally to "bait" a lot of users. Malware can be hidden in a web page and a video.
Can you go to jail for pirating? ›
A civil lawsuit could hold you responsible for thousands of dollars in damages. Criminal charges may leave you with a felony record, accompanied by up to five years of jail time and fines up to $250,000.
What happens if you get caught watching pirated content? ›
Felony punishments can result in lengthy prison sentences of more than 5 years, and criminal fines of up to $250,000 for each pirated file.
Is pirating illegal for personal use? ›
Unauthorized Copying is Against the Law
Copyright law protects the value of creative work. When you make unauthorized copies of someone's creative work, you are taking something of value from the owner without his or her permission.
Is it illegal to watch pirated fights? ›
It's illegal to watch a PPV event without proper licensing or payment. If you are watching or streaming the event illegally, it is known as digital piracy – you are violating federal copyright laws.
