Russia Blocks 167 VPNs, Steps Up OpenVPN & WireGuard Disruption
Late March 2023, Russia augmented its long-burning VPN crackdown with a series of PSAs claiming that using a VPN for security is actually much worse than not using a VPN at all. One of the ads warned that VPNs somehow obtain users’ passport details, plus their names, addresses, and dates of birth. Another suggested that since VPNs in Russia know everything about their users, spouses might learn about secret affairs, a high price for...
Dutch Fiscal Police Win “Anti-Piracy Award” for Shutting Down IPTV Datacenter
Across the globe, law enforcement and copyright holder groups are teaming up to tackle online piracy of all shapes and sizes. Cooperation is seen as essential to tackling the endemic piracy problem and the key players regularly meet up to discuss progress and emerging problems. Last week, Europol hosted its annual IP Crime Conference in Lisbon where stakeholders came together to exchange information and ideas. The Audiovisual...
Brazil Regulator Claims “80% of Pirate TV Boxes” Were Blocked Last Week
Authorities and rightsholders in Brazil appear determined to disrupt, restrict, or completely deny access to the illegal TV market enjoyed by millions of local citizens. From taking on pirate IPTV services to the outlawing of non-certified set-top boxes, to blocking illegal streaming websites and the removal of pirate apps, no target is off limits. One of the agencies at the forefront of this anti-piracy activity is the National...
Top 10 Most Pirated Movies of The Week – 10/30/2023
The data for our weekly download chart is estimated by TorrentFreak, and is for informational and educational reference only. Downloading content without permission is copyright infringement. These torrent download statistics are only meant to provide further insight into piracy trends. All data are gathered from public resources. This week we have four newcomers on the list. “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” is the most...
ACE/MPA Target VivaTV, StreamTape & VidSrc: A Peek Under the Hood
For those trying to avoid identification by anti-piracy groups with considerable but nevertheless finite resources, staying out of reach is certainly possible. Over the past six years, after unmasking at least dozens but potentially hundreds of site operators, the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment has shown that the opposite is possible too. Signs that ACE and the MPA are taking an interest in particular platforms appear in...
Lithuania’s Media Watchdog Fines Over Two Dozen ‘Private’ Torrent Tracker Users
This summer, Lithuania amended its Code of Administrative Offenses, allowing media watchdog LRTK to fine pirates, without going to court. This legislative change is the latest attempt to deter piracy in the European country. The potential fines should make pirates reconsider their habits, the idea goes. Tracking Down Pirates Handing out fines may sound like an effective strategy, but catching online pirates isn’t always...
