1 week Ago By Robin-Leigh Chetty
MultiChoice has announced that it recently achieved two successful anti-piracy operations. It raided operations in Florida, Mayfair, Ormonde, Booysens, and Kempton Park for illegal distribution of streaming devices preloaded with unauthorised applications. The company performed the raids with the help of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI).
In recent years MultiChoice has been ramping up its efforts to combat piracy and the illegal access of its content locally. The company’s most recent target has been WakaTV , and now the latest efforts have resulted in two successful anti-piracy raids. With the help of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation ( DPCI ), MultiChoice successfully completed anti-piracy raids in Florida, Mayfair, Ormonde, Booysens, and Kempton Park, This led to the arrests of several individuals involved in the illegal distribution of streaming devices preloaded with unauthorised applications for accessing DStv and other paid-for premium content.
Detailing the raids, MultiChoice noted that the first operation in Booysens, “uncovered a distribution network supplying unauthorized streaming devices...
On October 30, an undercover operation led to the arrest of three suspects and the confiscation of multiple devices used in this illicit activity.” “The second raid, held in Kempton Park, involved a similar buy-and-bust operation on October 29. After purchasing a preloaded device from a suspect, the DPCI moved in to arrest the individual, who was later identified as part of a larger syndicate,” it added.
The suspects from both raids have made their initial court appearances, according to MultiChoice. The content provider also pointed out the important role that local law enforcement and the legal system have played in helping address piracy operations in the country. “The SAPS and South African courts play an invaluable role in safeguarding intellectual property and supporting our mission against piracy.
Piracy is not a victimless crime; it undermines the creative industry, affecting the livelihoods of those who work tirelessly to produce quality content while organized crime syndicates reap the profits,” noted Frikkie Jonker, Anti-Piracy director of Broadcast and Cybersecurity at Irdeto (MultiChoice-owned). “By deploying robust anti-piracy technologies and supporting decisive legal actions, MultiChoice aims to ensure a secure and legitimate entertainment experience for viewers while fostering the growth and sustainability of South Africa’s creative industries,” it concluded in a release shared with Hypertext. [Image – Photo by Fran Jacquier on Unsplash ].
