FACT and Crimestoppers target illegal streaming in Ireland

The copyright protection organization FACT has joined forces with Crimestoppers to launch a new campaign across Ireland, urging the public to report illegal streaming activities in their communities. The six-week campaign, running on Facebook and Instagram, seeks to gather information on individuals or groups involved in advertising or selling illegal streaming subscriptions, modified firesticks, or so-called ‘dodgy boxes.’

Digital piracy is a serious crime, often orchestrated by organized criminal groups. Information provided anonymously to Crimestoppers will be thoroughly investigated by FACT and could result in further actions, including prosecution.

Those engaged in illegal streaming services or operating ‘dodgy box’ schemes face severe penalties. In August 2024, Ciaran Donovan from Kildare was sentenced to 16 months in prison for his involvement in King Kong Media, which provided illegal access codes for pay-per-view TV channels like Sky Sports. Additionally, on August 13th, brothers Amir Butt and Ammar Hussain were sentenced to a combined total of 11 years in prison for running an illegal streaming service.

This initiative is part of a continued effort to combat illegal streaming in Ireland, covering movies, television, and live sporting events, and to protect consumers from the risks associated with illegal streaming, such as malware, identity theft, and financial loss.

Kieron Sharp, FACT's CEO, emphasized the importance of the campaign, stating: “This campaign is an important step in our ongoing efforts to combat illegal streaming in Ireland. By working with Crimestoppers, we aim to empower communities to act against digital piracy and protect themselves from the associated risks."

A Crimestoppers spokesperson highlighted the dangers, saying: “Using or providing illegal streams is dangerous for the consumer in terms of exposing them to scammers, and for those profiteering, they can pay a heavy price of time behind bars.” They further stressed the risks, adding, “Piracy (illicit streaming) is a crime. The dangers to the family home are real for those who take the risk of using these criminal services. We should all pay our way fairly. Speak up if you know about the criminals involved. You’ll be helping to protect people from putting themselves in danger.”

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