Report: Risks Rise for Online Piracy

New research from the U.K.’s Industry Trust for IP Awareness has found that people who illegally download or stream TV, movie and sports content are at a higher risk than ever of suffering negative consequences, both personal and financial.

The latest figures show that more than half of current copyright infringers have fallen victim to at least one adverse effect—from viruses and hacking to identity theft and fraud—a significant increase from 2019. Nearly one-third (29 percent) of those who are illegally accessing content online have been infected with a virus, malware or ransomware, an increase of 14 percent since December 2019. The number of people becoming a victim of fraud has doubled in the last eight months alone.

The research from the Industry Trust finds that the situation is of even greater concern for those who make a payment to illicit streaming sites by entering credit card information. Around a third of current infringers opt to subscribe to illicit streaming sites—the incidence of fraud among this group of people is much higher, with around a quarter of them (26 percent) falling victim to often serious fraud, while 25 percent have also said they have been charged multiple times.

Also, 31 percent of current infringers reported being exposed to inappropriate content as a result of their illegal activity, with offensive pop-ups or adverts and age-inappropriate content among the content individuals and families have experienced.

The Industry Trust data reveals that consumers who currently access content through illegal means are actively concerned by these risks, with almost a third (28 percent) claiming to feel worried or guilty about the consequences.

Liz Bales, chief executive at the Industry Trust, said: “We understand that many people opting to access content illegally are also often the same people who regularly enjoy legitimate ways of doing so, whether that means going to the cinema frequently, buying or renting content to watch at home or paying for TV packages to access premium sports content. It is important to be aware of the risks they are exposing themselves to when they seek out illicit content through apps and add-ons, fully loaded devices or through a host of other means. Illicit content is put in front of consumers by unscrupulous individuals and organizations, so it should come as no surprise that they would take the opportunity to empty someone’s bank account, disable their devices or steal valuable personal information.

“We want audiences seeking out entertainment online to enjoy the safest, best quality experience they can. While the temptation to see something first or to do so without paying for it might be attractive, especially at a time when consumer confidence and the economic outlook are both compromised by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, it really is worth asking the question as to whether acting on that urge is worth the risk, especially when the reality is you are more likely than ever before to end up paying for it with an attack on your privacy and online security.”

The Industry Trust for IP Awareness is the U.K. film, TV and video industry’s consumer education body, promoting the value of copyright and creativity. It is a sister organization to BASE, the British Association for Screen Entertainment.