Netflix piracy crackdown

Streaming giant Netflix takes a relatively laid-back approach to fighting streaming piracy compared to MultiChoice, which actively pursues illegal streaming services.

However, Netflix has cracked down hard on password sharing, with systems in place to detect and block people from regularly viewing content in multiple locations using the same account.

The streaming giant has seen a marked reduction in piracy in the countries in which it has operated the longest, such as the US, Canada, and Australia.

Netflix’s biggest asset in its fight against piracy is its push to secure global rights and simultaneously release originals in all regions in which it operates.

This eliminates the need for users to resort to piracy to watch content that hasn’t yet been released in their region, protecting the work produced by the creative community.

“People are willing to pay a fair price for content they love — and this is especially true if they can watch it on their own terms without hassle, versus resorting to piracy,” it said.

“When piracy does happen, we address it with a variety of tools.”

In contrast, DStv owner MultiChoice has come down hard on pirate streaming services in the country in recent months.

The broadcaster said fighting piracy of its DStv channels is one of its most significant challenges. It believes many South Africans don’t realise that doing so is illegal.

According to Irdeto broadcast cybersecurity and anti-piracy director Frikkie Jonker, circumventing cybersecurity measures isn’t difficult for pirates.

Irdeto is a global digital rights management and cybersecurity firm that also looks after MultiChoice’s anti-piracy interests.

Jonker explained that Africa has weak barriers to entry for pirating content, making it attractive to criminals looking to make easy money.

“In terms of penetration success — circumventing cybersecurity measures — they may achieve a success rate of 70%, which compares favourably with other territories,” he said.

“This — coupled with Africa’s billion-strong population — is a key supply driver of content piracy.”

Jonker said a change of attitude towards content piracy is needed, as many people do not view the activity as a crime.

“Changing people’s attitude to the crime of content piracy has to be an industry-wide campaign,” he said.

“The creative industry must unite and address the issue collectively — as they have done through pan-African initiatives like Partners Against Piracy.”

Jonker says his team at Irdeto can quickly track and prosecute content rapidly, accurately, and at scale.

“Piracy is often a multi-level operation, with global and regional headquarters, as well as regional resellers,” he stated.

“It is now also possible for content owners and police to identify criminals at every level of these operations, as well as those who consume pirated content.”

He added that cracking down on piracy helps protect the welfare of creators, producers, and rightsholders, as well as thousands of jobs the creative industry sustains across Africa.

String of arrests

MultiChoice’s crackdown on streaming piracy has stepped up in recent months, with the DStv owner announcing the arrest of several individuals allegedly tied to illegal streaming services.

On 9 September 2024, the company announced the arrest of a suspect allegedly involved in Waka TV. The suspect was apprehended during a raid in Germiston the week before.

“During the raid, the suspect was apprehended for allegedly aiding one of the investigation’s informants,” said MultiChoice.

“The suspect is accused of allegedly providing an illegal Internet streaming device intended to facilitate unauthorised access to SuperSport content. This violation directly impacts broadcasters such as DStv.”

It added that more raids and arrests were imminent. MultiChoice’s announcement followed several similar announcements earlier this year.

In late July, the DStv owner confirmed the arrest of a suspect in Gauteng. According to MultiChoice, the suspect also allegedly sold login credentials and pirate streaming devices.

In early June, it announced the arrest of an individual who was also allegedly involved in Waka TV. The suspect appeared in court on 3 June 2024, facing charges of fraud and contravening the Cybercrimes Act.

A day later, MultiChoice said another raid had resulted in the arrest of an individual suspected of illegally selling Internet streaming devices that enabled access to DStv content.

They also managed several pirate customers and resellers who were believed to be selling similar devices. The content they distributed reportedly included DStv channels, movies, and series.