UPDATE 01/07/2020: Police confirm arrest for individual supplying illegal streams. Read more HERE.
IPTV providers had a tough time last year, when the Xtream Codes panel was seized by Italian authorities. And they may have thought that with major sports events postponed due to COVID-19, they would fly under the radar, with sports being one of the biggest reasons people buy subscriptions.
That was until today, when several providers were claimed to have been shutdown. Across the web, in places like Reddit and other forums, people have been posting images of their IPTV services no longer working, and with a special message popping up on the screen.
The message on the IPTV services states:
This illegal stream has been seized by Norfolk and Suffolk Police.
Watching illegal broadcasts is a crime
Your IP address has been recorded
You are instructed to cease and desist immediately from all illegal media streaming
How legit the message is, is unknown for now. Is it just a scare tactic? Maybe. But with many people using VPNs and IPTV providers using security to navigate blocks and other obstacles, it is unlikely there is any truth to the fact they have everyones IP Address.
What is for certain though, is that there will be many disappointed people who have subascriptions that no longer work.
Some providers have advised they will be back, and weve no doubt that will be true. Afterall, there will always be people that look to make a few quid as it is such a big market, due to the rising costs of cable and satellite TV. However, many subscription holders have also seen their providers doing a runner and leaving them high and dry. Maybe a spot of karma for them? Well let you decide that one.
For now though, it seems the authorities may have won the latest battle with illegal IPTV streams. But will they win the war?
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