Thousands of websites taken down for illegal World Cup streams
More than 1,000 illegal streaming sites were shut down in the US during the tournament, with a similar amount blocked in Colombia.
Thousands of websites were taken down or blocked during the World Cup over illegal streaming, according to a BBC Technology report.
More than 1,000 websites offering unauthorized streams were shut down in the United States during the tournament, the BBC said, while a similar number were blocked in Colombia. The actions were part of efforts to disrupt access to pirated broadcasts as the competition drew large online audiences.
The report, based on a monitored public feed, points to the scale of enforcement efforts aimed at sports piracy during one of the world’s biggest live events. Illegal streaming sites often attract viewers looking for free access to premium matches, but they can also expose users to unreliable video quality, intrusive advertising and other risks.
The BBC Technology report did not provide additional details in the feed summary about how the sites were identified, which agencies or organizations were involved, or whether the takedowns and blocks were temporary or permanent. It also did not specify which edition of the World Cup was being discussed in the summary.
Online piracy has long been a concern for broadcasters and rights holders, especially during major sporting tournaments when demand for live coverage is high. Measures to limit illegal streams can include site takedowns, internet blocks and other forms of enforcement coordinated across countries.
The BBC’s report highlights that the problem extends beyond a single market, with similar action taken in both the US and Colombia. That suggests authorities and rights holders are continuing to target illegal streaming networks across borders as they try to protect licensed coverage.
This article is based on a monitored public feed and has been written from the information provided there, with attribution to BBC Technology.
Source: BBC Technology - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqx7wx4vqv1o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
