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Watching pirated content isn’t just illegal, but it may also be enabling terrorism. If you think you are getting your favourite TV shows, live sports, or blockbuster movies smoothly through illegal streaming, think again. Behind the tempting offers of instant entertainment may lie a grave threat -- piracy that fuels organised crime and even terrorism.
“This is giving income to run terrorist groups... They are helping terrorist activity indirectly. Viewers should not watch pirated content," according to sources.
Investigators tracking the murky trail of illegal Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) services have issued similar warnings from time to time. Authorities say that by subscribing to these platforms, viewers are indirectly helping terrorist activity -- and that is why viewers must use discretion while agreeing to consumer pirated content immediately.
At the center of this alarming web, as exposed by investigations and legal actions, is Boss IPTV, one of the world’s largest illegal IPTV networks, according to sources.
Boss IPTV has been hijacking premium Indian channels like Star, Sony, Zee, Colors and Sun TV, said the sources, adding that it streams these alongside global giants like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO, and NBC, as well as blockbuster sports events including the ILP and FIFA World Cup.
Official probes reveal that profits from this illicit empire don’t just vanish into offshore accounts, but may also be channelised into organised crime including drug trafficking and terrorism. At the same time, these activities may also be exposing subscribers to data theft and scams.
This piracy racket reportedly spans continents, impacting millions of viewers across the US, Canada, Australia and India.
Causing big losses to regulated entertainment industry
Licensed platforms like YuppTV alone suffer losses estimated between $200 million and $300 million annually, said the sources. However, the consequences may be running far beyond lost revenue.
Vital personal data, including credit card information, stolen through these pirate services are reportedly traded on the dark web, enabling cybercrime, tax evasion, and financing drug trafficking and even terrorism.
Earlier this year, authorities cracked down on Boss IPTV and dozens of affiliated pirate networks, including Guru IPTV, Brampton IPTV, Tashan IPTV and Punjabi IPTV. Legal action by YuppTV, represented by the Goldstein Law Group, has resulted in arrests and lawsuits against these illegal operators. Goldstein Law Group has stressed that anyone using these pirated IPTV services is legally exposed to criminal charges in the US.
Boss IPTV’s operations are led by Canadian national Harprit Singh Randhava. The network comprises corporate-style criminal enterprises, evading taxes and undermining national security across several countries. The next time you think about streaming pirated content, remember: This is not harmless entertainment, but much more serious and alarming.
So, by subscribing to illegal IPTV services, users could indirectly be funding terrorist activities. The law group has urged viewers to strictly refrain from or immediately discontinue the use of illegal IPTV services.
English (US) ·