Police make honest IPTV admission in fight against illegal streaming

Police in the UK have made an honest admission about illegal streaming and illicit IPTV services.

It comes days after yet another jailbroken fire stick empire was busted wide open in England, costing premium streaming services roughly half a million pounds in lost revenue.

The action was the latest in a growing battle against piracy, with content from the likes of Sky Sports, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ released for free or illegally sold second hand by criminals for discounted fees.

IPTV [Internet Protocol television] apps are one of the most popular ways to watch this illegal content, with organised crime gangs using smartphone apps or jailbroken media devices such as Amazon Fire TV Sticks to give millions around the world cheaper or free access.

And given its global appeal, the crackdown on illegal streaming is growing worldwide, with a landmark conviction taking place just last month.

Illegal streaming is growing. (Getty Stock Images)

Now, police in the United Kingdom have opened up on their fight against illicit IPTV services and illegal streaming.

And in an eyebrow raising move, they've shown significant sympathy with those who pay for the illegal service.

A report from the Police Service of Northern Ireland's [PSNI] specialist Organised Crime Task Force has said that the recent cost of living crisis has made the ability to watch subscription TV and streaming services a whole lot harder.

As a result, they've said people have been 'encouraged' to explore illegal options after being 'enticed' by financial struggles.

But on top of this, 'rising costs of subscription services' have meant it has been a double whammy effect on ordinary folk.

Streaming premium content for free is against the law. (Getty Stock Images)

"The issue of Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) remains one of the main intellectual property crime concerns in Northern Ireland," the report states.

"Rising costs of subscription TV and streaming services are encouraging more people to turn to these illegal services. The current cost of living crisis has the potential to entice more people to look to illegal services."

But issues with illegal streaming and using IPTV have been stressed once again, with it leaving you vulnerable to online fraud.

The report adds: "Using these services places individuals at high risk of being hacked and having their details stolen and as such this may result in higher levels of fraud and online crime."

IPTV showing premium content for free or for a discounted fee is illegal. (Getty Stock Images)

Northern Ireland's justice minister, Naomi Long, said: "£4.8million of cash and assets have been seized from criminals during this reporting period and I congratulate the partner organisations for their hard work and determination to thwart those crime groups who terrorise our communities.

"These are not victimless crimes. These crime gangs are not friends or protectors of their communities.

"They are motivated primarily by greed, preying on the vulnerable and have no compunction in putting them in harm’s way for their own financial gain."