AVIA Survey Finds High Piracy Rates in the Philippines

Almost half of Filipino internet users admit to accessing piracy websites or torrent sites, according to a survey commissioned by the Asia Video Industry Association’s Coalition Against Piracy (CAP) and conducted by YouGov.

According to the study, 47 percent of consumers who accessed piracy sites cancelled their subscriptions to both local and international content services. The levels of online piracy in the Philippines are higher than in neighboring Malaysia and Indonesia, AVIA says, with those two markets having seen a substantial reduction in usage of unauthorized content platforms.

In Indonesia, a YouGov survey found that 28 percent of consumers admitted to accessing piracy websites, compared to 63 percent in 2019. In Malaysia, there was a 64 percent decline in users accessing piracy sites compared to 2019. Government-led piracy site blocking initiatives have worked in those two markets, AVIA said. There is currently a bill before the Filipino Senate that proposes a regulatory site-blocking mechanism.

“The ill effects of online piracy cannot be underestimated,” said Ernest Cu, president and CEO of leading telco Globe. “We have been an advocate of content streaming through legal sites only through our #PlayItRight program. This advocacy educates people on the impacts of online piracy and on making the right choices when it comes to online consumption.”

Neil Gane, the general manager of AVIA’s Coalition Against Piracy (CAP), added, “We are confident that Indonesia and Malaysia will rise to become market leaders in video IP protection in the region, as a result of their site-blocking strategies. We are also confident that other countries in Asia, such as the Philippines, will take note and follow suit, boosting the growth of legal consumption of Filipino and international content.”