Homes previously accessing Sky TV content without paying monthly fees may now encounter disruptions as a major illegal streaming platform has been shut down following a significant police operation.
The platform allegedly provided unauthorized access to premium channels from Sky TV, affecting numerous households across the UK. Last week in Manchester, authorities arrested four individuals and confiscated equipment worth £750,000 in connection with the operation’s closure.
The crackdown stemmed from a report by Sky highlighting suspicious activities linked to a large-scale illegal streaming service. Authorities identified suspects believed to be behind an illicit IPTV service serving millions of users. One suspect reportedly gained over £3 million from the illegal operation, causing widespread disruptions nationwide.
While viewers who accessed the illegal streams are not being pursued by law enforcement, they will notice the content is now inaccessible on their screens.
Detective Constable Jordan Day of the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) emphasized the criminal nature of such services, noting the substantial profits generated by organized criminal networks. He underscored the importance of safeguarding broadcasting integrity and protecting consumers, citing the successful collaboration with partners like Sky in dismantling illegal networks.
Matt Hibbert, Sky’s Group Director of Anti-Piracy, praised PIPCU for their swift action against the piracy operation, emphasizing Sky’s commitment to content protection. He warned illegal stream viewers of potential security risks, citing research indicating security threats like malware for nearly 65% of illegal stream users. The crackdown aims to enhance consumer safety and data protection.
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