DStv nails illegal password and login sharers
Law enforcement officers, working alongside the Multichoice-owned Irdeto Anti-Piracy Department, conducted another successful raid on September 19, 2024, in Worcester, Cape Town.
The operation focused on an outlet found to allegedly be involved in the illegal distribution of login credentials that allegedly allowed unauthorised access to premium content.
The alleged individual arrested during the raid is now facing charges under both the Copyright Act and the Cyber Crime Act of 2020.
Several pieces of equipment were confiscated during the operation, contributing to further investigations into the case.
Following the arrest, the suspect appeared in court on September 20, 2024, and was later granted bail.
Multichoice said the latest raid is part of a larger, ongoing crackdown against internet streaming piracy across South Africa and that additional enforcement actions are anticipated in the coming weeks as authorities continue to dismantle illegal networks.
“This arrest is another milestone in our unwavering efforts to disrupt illegal streaming networks that harm legitimate businesses and the wider entertainment industry,” it said.
“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.”
Over recent months, multiple high-profile arrests have been made as part of a nationwide initiative aimed at protecting copyrighted material and holding offenders accountable under the law.
Earlier in September, the group worked with authorities to raid a suspect in Germiston, where they were allegedly providing an illegal internet streaming device intended to facilitate unauthorized access to SuperSport content.
In July, the group raided and arrested a suspect in Eldorado Park who had been selling logging credentials and internet streaming pirate devices, which enabled illegal access to the group’s premium content.
Multichoice also conducted two key raids in June.
The first saw a ‘piracy kingpin’ in the Western Cape arrested. The suspect was believed to have managed several pirate customers and resellers of Waka TV.
The second June raid in Johannesburg saw the arrest of an individual with alleged ties to the illegal sale of pirate internet streaming devices, which allowed individuals to access MultiChoice content, violating several legal statutes.
Multichoice is primarily going after content pirates based on violations against:
- Section 2 of the Cybercrime Act 19 of 2020 (unauthorized access to content)
- Sections 44 & 45 of the RICA Act 70 of 2002 (possession and sale of an infringing device)
- Section 27 of the Copyright Act 98 of 1978 (infringement of a rightsholder’s rights)
Multichoice previously noted that subscribers of illegal pirate services are also in the crosshairs.
“Subscribing to pirate services can expose individuals to significant legal risks. Users may face fines or legal action for accessing content illegally,” it warned.
Read: DStv and SuperSport abusers nailed in South Africa – with more to come