FACT and Sky Team Up to Disrupt Piracy

In a blow to the illegal streaming industry, the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) joined forces with Sky and local police in a major anti-piracy operation. This three-week campaign targeted unauthorized broadcasts of premium channels and movies, particularly content offered by Sky.

Widespread Action Taken Against Illegal IPTV

Teams fanned out across the UK, identifying and serving legal notices to 47 illegal IPTV providers in Dorset, Cambridgeshire, the West Midlands, North Midlands, and Greater Manchester. These notices warned the operators of their illegal activities and potential legal repercussions. The swift action resulted in many illegal services being shut down and their advertisements disappearing.

Repeat Offender Faces Arrest

A significant development came with the arrest of a 32-year-old man from Ipswich. This individual continued selling illegal IPTV subscriptions despite a prior warning from FACT. The Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) apprehended the man after a thorough investigation.

The Vulnerabilities of Shady Software

Illegal IPTV services often rely on cheap or pirated software to manage their operations. A popular choice in the past was Extreme Code, a program notorious for its security vulnerabilities. This software, and its derivatives like NXT, XtremeUI, XUI, and Streamcreed, are riddled with backdoors and weaknesses in their code, making them prime targets for hackers. Unlike legitimate streaming software that the platforms like Netflix and Prime Video are using, these services lack robust security measures, putting users at risk.

The Dangers of Watching Illegally

FACT CEO Kieron Sharp emphasized the dangers associated with illegal IPTV, including malware infection, data breaches, and even identity theft. He also warned that users might unknowingly be financially supporting criminal organizations.

The Fight Continues: Past Cases of Piracy

This operation is just one front in the ongoing battle against illegal streaming in the UK. Here are some recent examples:

• Takedown of the Firestick Premier League Scheme: This operation dismantled a network offering Premier League matches through hacked Amazon Fire TV devices.
• IPTV Scammers Brought to Justice: A group behind a £7 million illegal IPTV operation received a combined 30-year prison sentence.
• Mark Brockley’s “Infinity Streams” Busted: Brockley was sentenced to five years in jail for offering illegal BT Sport streams through his service.

How to Spot Illegal IPTV Services

Here are some red flags to watch out for when choosing a streaming service:

• Unbelievable Prices: Be wary of services offering a vast library of content for suspiciously low prices.
• Too-Good-To-Be-True Content: Question services that advertise access to newly released movies or live sports events without proper licensing.
• Low-Quality Websites: Legitimate streaming platforms have professional websites with clear terms of service and easily accessible customer support.
• Shady Payment Methods: Legitimate services use standard payment options like credit cards or direct debits, while illegal ones might require cryptocurrency or unknown payment processors.

Trust Your Gut: If a streaming service seems like a steal that’s too good to be true, it probably is. Avoid services offering multiple premium channels for a rock-bottom price or significantly discounted sports subscriptions. Play it safe and stick to reputable streaming platforms.