FACT has released details of a recent operation to target illegal streaming across the UK.
The organisation, which provides a range of services including IP protection, worked in partnership with police forces and companies such as Sky in a month-long campaign to disrupt individuals providing unauthorised access to premium TV content.
Throughout England, Scotland and Wales, 40 illegal IPTV operators were investigated and served with official warnings. FACT and the police delivered cease and desist notices instructing perpetrators to immediately halt their activities or face criminal prosecutions. As part of ongoing work to combat piracy, three arrests were made with digital devices and ‘fully loaded’ smart TVs or Firesticks were seized and sent for forensic examination.
More than 3,000 social media posts and listings selling illegal content were taken down from platforms such as TikTok, Facebook and Instagram during the period.
Kieron Sharp, FACT CEO, said: “These measures underscore the serious consequences of engaging in such illicit activities. We thank the police services involved for their invaluable assistance in this operation, particularly Cheshire, Nottinghamshire and the North East Regional Crime Unit for executing the warrants.
“The rise in illegal IPTV operators using modified Firesticks to unlawfully access premium content is a growing concern. This not only infringes upon copyright laws but deprives content creators and distributors of their rightful earnings and disrupts the economic balance of the creative industry. FACT and our partners are steadfast in our commitment to disrupt these criminal operations. This is just the start of our enforcement efforts, with more actions planned.”
Investigations into the three individuals arrested are ongoing.
