DStv owner nails streaming pirate

MultiChoice’s Irdeto anti-piracy department has announced that it has, in partnership with law enforcement, conducted a successful raid on an illegal streaming piracy operation in Worcester, Western Cape.

The raid occurred on 19 September 2024 and resulted in the arrest of an individual who allegedly distributed login credentials that allowed for unauthorised access to premium content.

The accused appeared in court on 20 September, facing charges under both the Copyright Act and the Cybercrimes Act of 2020. They were later granted bail.

“This arrest is another milestone in our unwavering efforts to disrupt illegal streaming networks that harm legitimate businesses and the wider entertainment industry,” said broadcasting cybersecurity anti-piracy director at Irdeto, Frikkie Jonker.

“We remain focused on identifying further targets, and we are confident that more raids will follow. Our message is clear: those engaging in illegal streaming activities will face justice.”

This is not the first arrest made for the distribution of login credentials, which MultiChoice has increasingly begun to crack down on.

In July, police detectives, in partnership with Irdeto, arrested an individual in Gauteng suspected of selling login credentials and Internet streaming devices.

According to MultiChoice, the individual violated the Cybercrime Act by providing illegal access to premium content.

Jonker recently told MyBroadband what crimes constitute content piracy according to the Cybercrimes Act.

Contravening its provisions can result in the punishment of a fine, imprisonment of up to 10 years, or both.

Someone who has unlawful access to content is in contravention of the law. This refers to anyone who accesses a computer data storage medium on which the pirated content is stored.

Interception of data and the possession of stolen data is also illegal. Anyone who intentionally intercepts content unlawfully or possesses content that they know has been illegally intercepted violates this provision.

In this case, interception is the acquisition, viewing, copying, or capturing of non-public data using hardware or software.

It is also illegal to interfere with data or computer programs. To interfere, in this case, means to delete, alter, render vulnerable, damage, deteriorate, obstruct, or deny access to data, which includes content.

Anyone who attempts to create a misrepresentation to create actual or potential prejudice against another person by using or interfering with content data is considered to be engaging in computer-related fraud.

No one may unlawfully acquire, possess or use passwords or access codes that do not belong to them. This refers to anyone found to have acquired, possessed, shared, or used a password or access code to gain unlawful access to content.

The possession of any software or hardware that allows for the infringement of any of the above is also deemed illegal.

For a repeat offender, direct imprisonment can be imposed.

However, Jonker mentioned that pirates can also be tried according to the Copyright Act 98 of 1978.

Section 27 states that anyone found guilty of infringing on a right holder’s rights through unauthorised distribution, reproduction, or sale of unlicensed material can face a fine of up to R5,000 and a maximum prison sentence of three years.