An illegal streaming platform that provided unauthorized access to premium content, including sports and movies from Sky TV, has been shut down following a significant police operation. The closure, which occurred in Manchester last week, resulted in the arrest of four individuals and the seizure of equipment worth £750,000.
The investigation was initiated after Sky reported suspicious activities related to a large-scale illegal streaming service. Authorities identified suspects believed to be involved in operating an unlawful IPTV service catering to millions of users across the UK. One suspect allegedly profited over £3 million from the operation, causing widespread disruption to the illegal service nationwide.
Although households utilizing the illegal streams have not been directly targeted by law enforcement, they will no longer be able to access the content they were viewing on their TVs as a result of the platform’s shutdown.
Detective Constable Jordan Day from the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) at the City of London Police emphasized that illegal IPTV services are not harmless alternatives but rather organized criminal activities generating substantial illegal profits. He stressed the importance of protecting broadcasting integrity and the millions of consumers dependent on it, highlighting the collaborative effort with partners like Sky to dismantle such illicit networks.
Matt Hibbert, Group Director of Anti-Piracy at Sky, 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 collaborating with law enforcement and industry partners to disrupt criminal networks involved in piracy.
Furthermore, Hibbert highlighted the risks associated with illegal streaming, citing research indicating that nearly 65% of illegal stream users have encountered security threats like malware. By taking action against piracy, consumer safety, device security, and personal data protection can be better ensured.