Over 3,000 Pirate Sites Blocked to Protect Creators: Did it Work?

The Malaysian government has been intensifying its fight against online piracy, particularly since 2021, under pressure from Hollywood and anti-piracy groups.

Their efforts have led to the blocking of 3,682 pirate websites in just three years, bringing the total to over 5,100 since 2019.

While these numbers sound impressive, a critical question remains: has this approach actually reduced piracy, or has it been a costly exercise in futility?

A Look at Malaysia’s Anti-Piracy Journey

Malaysia wasn’t always known for aggressive anti-piracy measures. A decade and a half ago, the country’s excellent infrastructure and limited enforcement made it a popular hub for hosting torrent sites.

However, everything changed around 2008 when the government began taking down sites like Extremebits and LeechersLair.

By 2011, they had expanded their efforts to include blocking access to well-known global platforms like The Pirate Bay, Megaupload, and Putlocker.

These actions were part of a larger strategy to comply with international copyright standards and shed Malaysia’s reputation as a piracy-friendly nation.

By targeting sites hosting pirated content, the government sought to reduce online piracy and protect the country’s creative industry.

The Data: Declining Traffic or Temporary Relief?

Reports suggest that site-blocking measures initially appeared successful. For example, a 2017 report by the MPA claimed traffic to blocked sites in Malaysia dropped by 67-74% after six waves of blocking.

Similarly, a government study in 2020 noted a 64% decline in Malaysians accessing pirate streaming sites.

However, these numbers don’t tell the full story. While traffic to specific blocked sites may have fallen, new websites, mirrors, and proxies quickly filled the void.

The rise of these alternatives required more extensive blocking measures in subsequent years. For instance, between 2019 and 2021 alone, authorities blocked an additional 1,429 sites, with no signs of slowing down.

The Numbers Keep Climbing

The latest data shows that 3,682 pirate sites have been blocked since 2021. This brings the total to over 5,100 blocked websites in just five years.

Despite these efforts, piracy continues to thrive globally, and blocking individual sites often feels like playing a never-ending game of whack-a-mole.

The Malaysian government, however, sees these actions as a necessary step to protect its creative industries.

Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, emphasized that the blocking measures are part of a broader commitment to safeguarding local content.

Does Site-Blocking Actually Work?

While the government and organizations like the MPA point to traffic declines and reduced piracy participation as evidence of success, critics argue that site-blocking is an inefficient long-term solution.

Pirate sites often reappear under new domains within days or weeks, creating an endless cycle that requires more blocking requests and resources.

If you do a Google search for any popular pirate streaming name (123Movies for example) you will likely find dozens of websites offering pirated content.

Even if blocking reduces traffic to specific sites temporarily, it doesn’t address the underlying problem: consumer demand for affordable, accessible content.

With streaming costs rising and subscription models becoming fragmented, many users turn to piracy as an alternative.

Instead of pouring resources into chasing pirate sites, some argue that focusing on making legal streaming services more affordable and convenient could yield better results.

For more details on this story, refer to the reports from the MPA (PDF) and TorrentFreak.

We want to know your thoughts on this story. Do you think blocking pirate sites is a good long term solution to the problem? Let us know in the comment section below!

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