Premier League fans who attempt to illegally stream football this weekend have been warned they could be ‘intercepted’ as part of a new anti-piracy initiative.
The advancement of Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) technology has contributed to a notable increase in illegal streaming of sports events in recent years.
According to a YouGov survey conducted last year, one in ten Britons now resorts to illegal streams to watch sports, including the Premier League.
Authorities have cautioned fans about the risks of accessing illegal streams following several recent convictions related to such activities.
Last month, two brothers were sentenced to a total of 11 years in prison due to a crackdown on illegal IPTV streaming, often accessed via modified Fire Sticks.
Meanwhile, Sky has been collaborating with UK police forces to target individuals behind these illegal services.
In response, a new anti-piracy initiative has been launched to focus on Premier League fans ahead of the north London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham this Sunday, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
BeStreamWise aims to ‘intercept’ football fans searching for illegal streams, intending to shield them from ‘the dangers of digital piracy.’
Fans who click on fake streaming links on platforms like Reddit and X will be redirected to a site showing actual footage of a stream, with commentary provided by a ‘well-known’ comedian.
BeStreamWise is a collaborative effort established by various organizations to combat illegal streaming, including the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT), the Intellectual Property Office, and Crimestoppers UK.
The initiative also counts the BBC, Sky, ITV, and the Premier League among its partners.
On its website, BeStreamWise warns fans that illegal streaming of sports events carries several risks beyond potential legal consequences.
The statement reads, “Users should remain cautious, as sites and apps often distribute harmful or malicious content like malware, sophisticated scams, and explicit material.”
Additionally, consumers should be aware that sharing personal information, such as email addresses or payment details, with these sites can mean disclosing their information to criminal organizations.
