On June 26, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Division shut down nearly 400 websites that were illegally providing real-time streams of the FIFA World Cup Finals. The sites were seized as part of Operation Offsides, a coordinated global effort led by the U.S. National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center to crack down on illegal sports streaming and protect intellectual property rights.
Operation Offsides
Operation Offsides is part of an ongoing effort to stop websites operating in violation of U.S. copyright law. Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, stated:
“We have seized hundreds of domains, used to illegally stream World Cup matches for profit, to disrupt the international networks that profit from the global popularity of the World Cup. This operation illustrates the Department’s respect for intellectual property rights and the responsibility of the United States as a host nation to protect the FIFA World Cup from criminals. The Criminal Division will continue to disrupt and, where appropriate, seek to prosecute these sites and the subjects responsible for this criminal activity.”
In order to complete the June 26 operation, U.S. groups coordinated with international partners through the International Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property (ICHIP) Network of U.S. prosecutors, FIFA, belN Media Group, NBC Universal, Motion Picture Association’s Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), and Warner Brothers. Most of the sites seized were linked to servers and domains in Peru and Bulgaria — countries known for high levels of online piracy in the past — as well as Croatia, Romania, Poland, and Colombia.
Banner displayed on seized sites. Source: Justice.gov
The cybersecurity risk of piracy
While the seizure of a few hundred illegal websites may not seem all that significant, it demonstrates a shocking reality — many Americans aren’t opposed to online piracy. In fact, almost 25% of Americans believe streaming illegal content is acceptable. But choosing whether to stream pirated content is more than just a matter of moral integrity; it’s also a matter of cybersecurity. Eric Weindorf, Special Agent in Charge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington Field Office recently stated:
“When you open your network to illegal streaming sites, you’re taking a significant risk. These streamers not only violate copyright laws but also expose viewers to potential threats — including malware attacks and unsecure connections that can compromise personal and financial data.”
Visiting illegal streaming sites increases the risk of cyberthreats by 65% and can leave your computer vulnerable to attacks. Sites that offer pirated content for free often install malware or viruses on your computer and steal your personal and financial information.
So, if your plan for watching the World Cup Finals includes a “free” streaming website, think again…