DONEGAL is among several counties being targeted in a crackdown on illegal TV streaming networks.
The clampdown on so called ‘dodgy boxes’ is taking place across the country to fight copyright infringement with counties Mayo, Limerick, Meath, Offaly, Dublin, Wexford, Cork, Kildare, Tipperary and Kilkenny also being targeted.
A number of legal warnings have been sent to “individuals” involved in “providing illegal access providing illegal access to premium TV content, including from Sky and the Premier League”.
The main targets are a number of online portals and services which stream access to premium TV and sports content, often selling ads around that content.
The action has begun to have an impact with a number of illegal streaming services already taken down. It is expected more disruption will ensue.
These legal notices form part of a broader targeted campaign in which more action in Ireland will follow to disrupt and shut down organised and sophisticated piracy networks.
“Illegal IPTV service providers are a significant problem in Ireland. This is criminal activity, and those involved are not concerned about the risks their streams pose to consumers,” said Keiron Sharp, CEO at Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT).
“This is criminal activity and those involved are not concerned about the risks their streams pose to consumers.”
Serious risk
The industry group claims that accessing content from illegal providers “poses serious risks to consumers”.
It says carried out by Dynata in 2022 shows that almost half (49 per cent) of respondents who illegally stream say they or someone they know has been a victim of scams, ID theft, fraud or data loss.
“In research carried out last year by cyber security experts Webroot, it was found that of 50 illegal streaming sites analysed, every single one contained some form of malicious content – from sophisticated scams to extreme and explicit content.
“FACT and its partners are determined to disrupt these criminal operations and protect consumers.”
This action comes as FACT continues to work with law enforcement to crack down on illegal streaming services in the UK, many of which also have customers in Ireland.
In January, Fact and police visited homes across the UK, serving notices to individuals to cease illegal streaming activities immediately and informing users of the associated risks, including criminal prosecution.
Last week, the City of London Police led a crackdown on illegal streaming networks, resulting in arrests in Scotland and London.
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