Houses previously enjoying Sky TV without paying monthly fees may now face interruptions in accessing sports and movies as a significant police operation has successfully shut down a major illegal streaming platform.
This service provided unauthorized access to premium content from Sky TV’s channels and was recently dismantled in Manchester, leading to the arrest of four individuals and the confiscation of equipment worth £750,000.
The crackdown followed a report by Sky regarding suspicious activities related to a large-scale illegal streaming network. Investigators pinpointed individuals believed to be operating an illegal IPTV service serving millions of users in the UK. Allegedly, one suspect profited over £3 million from the illicit operation. Sky confirmed that the illegal service experienced widespread disruptions nationwide.
Although homes using the illegal streams have not been targeted by law enforcement, they will encounter blocked content on their TVs.
Detective Constable Jordan Day from the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) emphasized the ongoing issue of criminals offering illegal IPTV streaming services, highlighting the substantial profits made through organized criminal activities. The collaboration between law enforcement agencies and industry partners like Sky aims to protect the integrity of broadcasting and combat piracy effectively.
Matt Hibbert, Sky’s Group Director of Anti-Piracy, commended the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit for their swift action against the pirate operation. Sky remains committed to safeguarding its content investment and will continue to collaborate with authorities to disrupt criminal networks involved in piracy.
Furthermore, it was mentioned that illegal streaming poses risks to viewers, as research by BeStreamWise suggests that nearly 65% of illegal stream users have encountered security threats like malware. This enforcement action aims to ensure consumer safety and protect personal data from unlawful streaming practices.
