Anti-Piracy Campaign ‘BeStreamWise’ Adds Police to Combat IPTV

The BeStreamWise anti-piracy campaign, launched quietly just over a year ago, is stepping up its mission to deter illegal streaming activities.

With influential partners like Sky, the Premier League, and the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT), the campaign is aimed primarily at those using illegal IPTV services to watch live sports, particularly football.

Recently, BeStreamWise expanded its partner list to include the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU), a move signaling a more aggressive crackdown on illegal streaming services.

Police Involvement Raises Stakes for Illegal Streamers

BeStreamWise has attracted some big names to its cause, but the addition of police support may be a turning point.

The involvement of the PIPCU indicates that authorities are taking a tougher stance on IPTV services used for unauthorized streaming.

For users of these illegal platforms, this could mean that they are not only violating copyright laws but also exposing themselves to potential criminal liability.

The campaign warns that illegal streaming platforms are often linked to organized crime, with the possibility of exposing users to cyber risks such as bank account fraud or malware infections.

The message is clear: engaging in illegal streaming can open the door to criminals in more ways than one.

Campaign Growth and Unusual Promotion Strategy

Unlike typical anti-piracy campaigns, BeStreamWise did not receive a major media push at launch. Instead, it gained attention after the campaign’s primary video began circulating online.

Uploaded on YouTube in September, 2023 the video has amassed nearly five million views, despite minimal engagement in terms of likes or comments.

Observers speculate that most of the views came from targeted advertisements on platforms like Facebook, as well as pop-ups on pirate streaming sites. The views could also be fabricated to deceive public perception.

The campaign’s discreet yet strategic advertising approach has led users to encounter ads after visiting illicit streaming sites, suggesting a targeted effort to reach potential offenders directly.

Although the campaign hasn’t disclosed its detailed strategy, the high view count on its video suggests that this method of engagement has been effective.

Partner Additions and Expanding Influence

Since its inception, BeStreamWise has slowly grown its partner list to strengthen its reach. Major partners now include well-known broadcasters, media giants, and official organizations like the British Association for Screen Entertainment, ITV, and Sky.

The addition of the PIPCU earlier this year emphasizes law enforcement’s commitment to tackling illegal IPTV, while the BBC, DAZN, and U.S.-based NBCUniversal are also now involved, indicating an international scope.

The timing of these new partnerships coincides with an increased focus on high-profile live sports events, such as Premier League games, a major target for illicit streaming.

With this backing, BeStreamWise is poised to enforce copyright laws more rigorously and disrupt illegal streaming ecosystems.

Concerns Over Data Collection

One question that looms over BeStreamWise’s efforts is what happens to the data it collects on users.

BeStreamWise has not been transparent about its data collection practices, but as the campaign is supported by the UK’s Intellectual Property Office, it’s likely some data is being gathered to gauge the impact on IPTV piracy.

Given the track record of the UK’s Online Copyright Infringement Tracker report, which the IPO has produced annually until this year, there may be growing public concern regarding the extent of user data collection.

Whether data from BeStreamWise’s first year will influence the future of IPTV regulation or assist in identifying violators remains uncertain, but users should be cautious about the potential for data sharing with law enforcement agencies.

Final Thoughts – What This Means for Illegal Streamers

The involvement of the police and major media organizations suggests that BeStreamWise is more than a simple awareness campaign.

The message to users of illegal IPTV services is stark: the risk extends beyond the threat of losing access to sports events or TV shows.

With backing from global media giants and now law enforcement, the campaign is better equipped to track, deter, and potentially penalize those who persist in using illegal IPTV services.

For more information on this story, refer to the report from TorrentFreak.

We want to know your thoughts on this story. What do you think about BeStreamWise adding police to its anti-piracy efforts? Let us know in the comment section below!

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