An operation led by Europol during last summer’s Euro 2024 and Paris Olympics dismantled a record number of illegal streaming platforms and illegal IPTVs, according to Spain’s football league La Liga.
Dubbed Operation Kratos, the initiative was led by the Republic of Bulgaria and Europol and took down a network that provided illegal distribution of more than 2,500 TV channels and reached over 22 million users worldwide.
La Liga said the operation was carried out in the context of major sporting events such as UEFA EURO 2024 and the Olympic Games and took place between early June and mid-September.
The investigation, which targeted illegal distribution of material from streaming services including movies, series and TV channels (including sports), identified 102 suspects, 11 of whom were arrested.
During the operation, over 112 searches and seizures were conducted, at least 29 servers and 270 IPTV devices were seized, as well as 100 domains linked to illegal activities.
As a result of the operation, more than 560 resellers of the pirated service were identified, and drugs and weapons were seized in the searches, and cryptocurrency worth around €1.6m was confiscated, as well as €40,000 in cash.
The operation involved the participation of 15 countries, including Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK, with the support of Europol, Eurojust and the Alliance against Audio-Visual Piracy (AAPA).
La Liga said the operation’s main objective was “combating digital piracy in the form of the publication, distribution and broadcasting of digital content subject to copyright and related rights.”
Read more Highlight of the year: Olympic Gold for 5G as adoption gathers pace
You are not signed in
Only registered users can comment on this article.
Paramount Skydance President Jeff Shell steps down
Jeff Shell, President of Paramount Skydance, is stepping down after eight months in the role.
HBO Max hits 1.5m UK subscribers in first five days
HBO Max reached 1.5 million subscribers within its first five days of launching into the UK market on March 26, according to Ampere Analysis research.
Fremantle’s Imaginae Studios unveils first AI project
Fremantle’s recently launched AI label Imaginae Studios has unveiled its first project, which is named Art Awakens.
Host Broadcast Services’ top leadership to leave after 2026 FIFA World Cup
The two top executives of Infront’s subsidiary Host Broadcast Services (HBS), CEO Dan Miodownik and Chief Operating Officer (COO) Luc-Antoine Charial, will step down from their respective positions as of 30 September 2026.
Netflix opens animation studio in Vancouver
Netflix Animation Studios (NAS) has opened a 110,600ft2 studio in Vancouver, British Columbia.
