People who use streaming services to get online content without paying for it are being sent on-screen messages by police in a crackdown on piracy
Viewers are using illicit streaming services to watch paid-for content for free, including shows and films normally available on Sky TV, Netflix, and Prime Video.
Hundreds of thousands of people who have been using pirate IPTV services to get the free content have had their access revoked overnight in an operation carried out by West Midlands Police and FACT, the UK's intellectual property protection organisation.
The joint operation, which was months in the planning, shut down a piracy network that provided over 100 separate television services. It's believed hundreds of thousands of people across the UK used these services, reports the Express.
Anyone that had access to these services before will now see their usual stream replaced with a warning from police.
The on-screen message says anyone that had been accessing the content was watching it unlawfully. The illegal streaming services, which have now been shut down, were available to watch on smart TVs, smartphones, tablets and via illicit streaming devices.
Three people have been arrested as part of the operation.
Detective Sergeant Allan McDonald from the West Midland Polices Economic Crime Unit, said: "Two men aged 53 and 35 and a 40-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of copyright infringement, fraud and conspiracy to commit fraud. Our joint investigation is ongoing."
Kieron Sharp, the CEO of FACT said: "We’re pleased to support West Midlands Police in their work to dismantle such a major network. This should be a serious warning to anyone motivated by the financial gains from engaging with piracy – it is a crime which will be taken seriously by Police.
"Users and subscribers of illegal services should be aware that not only are they committing an offence themselves, but they’re also exposing themselves to risks including identity theft, malware and viruses. Engaging with piracy in any way is simply not worth the risk."
The latest IPTV shutdown is part of the ongoing piracy crackdown.
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