Warning amid Donegal 'dodgy box' sting operation as illegal operators targeted

Dodgy box operators in Donegal have been hit with a new wave of enforcement orders aimed at shutting down illegal streaming services.

So-called 'dodgy boxes' allow people to download apps and access thousands of TV station and movies that are subject to copyright laws without paying the relevant providers.

The illegal practice has been widespread in the last few years in particular with a host of local operators supplying people with the apps and passwords necessary to access the stations. 

A major sting operation is now underway with 13 providers of these illegal services targeted in Ireland, including in Donegal. The 13 legal notices were served across Dublin, Cork, Donegal, Offaly, Limerick, Louth, Clare, Westmeath and Laois. Some were issued in person, while others were sent to the unscrupulous providers by post and email. 

The sting is being spearheaded by the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) which has been working with broadcasters and law enforcement to crack down on illegal Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) providers.

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This is the fourth wave of enforcement action to date, since March 2023, and has resulted in the closure of almost 70 illegal services across the country.

"The action is having an impact on the piracy landscape in Ireland, with more operators being identified than ever before, with more illegal services being disrupted impacting tens of thousands of end-users who would have watched the streams," FACT said.

FACT also warned users of these services that they are often linked to other organised crime, as well as dangerous malware and viruses that could be used to steal personal data from devices.

"Together with our partners we will continue to identify and take action against Illegal IPTV service providers," FACT chairman Kieron Sharp said.

"They are breaking the law, making criminal profits and putting consumers at real risk of malware, data loss and identity theft."

"We want to protect consumers from these risks and operations such as this ensure the message goes out. It is not scaremongering, these are real criminal actions which consumers and their families are exposed to," Mr Sharp added.

FACT said that its investigations and operations will continue in 2025.