LaLiga continues expanding its anti-piracy campaign with two major developments – IP address blocking and sending fines to users.
The strategy evolved after February when LaLiga began blocking Cloudflare IP addresses. This affected many innocent websites that happened to share the same infrastructure. After a summer pause, blocking resumed in August with modified tactics.
New Intermittent IP Address Blocking Approach
The league now uses intermittent blocking patterns instead of continuous blocks. Different ISPs follow varied schedules, creating what some call “controlled chaos.” This makes it harder for pirate streaming viewers to maintain stable connections during matches.
This tactic also complicates things for legitimate website owners. Unlike previous continuous blocks that lasted hours or days, intermittent blocking makes it trickier to document and prove disruption to business operations.
Tracking Tools Emerge
Two new platforms are documenting LaLiga’s blocking activities. Hayahora.futbol logs blocking events in real-time, creating a database accurate within minutes. Another tool called Immutable Domain Monitor stores evidence on the blockchain.
These tracking systems could shift the balance of power. They provide concrete evidence when LaLiga has dismissed overblocking complaints as unreliable or exaggerated.
User Fines Spark Controversy
Recent reports indicate LaLiga is sending certified letters to individuals demanding payment. The league claims to have identified IP addresses accessing illegal broadcasts through sports streaming platforms.
LaLiga clarified these letters target AceStream users, not regular viewers. AceStream is a BitTorrent-based system that simultaneously uploads content to others while streaming. Court orders authorize action against both AceStream and card sharing users.
Hide Your Digital Fingerprint
Legal experts question how IP addresses were obtained. Omar Benbouazza from RootedCON notes Spanish law only penalizes distributors, not consumers. Lawyer Javier Prenafeta suggests ISPs may have provided data without proper court authorization.
Final Thoughts
LaLiga’s tactics set a dangerous precedent by targeting end users with fines, even though Spanish law traditionally only penalizes distributors.
This aggressive approach could encourage other sports leagues and content owners to pursue similar mass enforcement campaigns against consumers.
The collateral damage to innocent websites and the questionable legality of obtaining user data raises serious concerns about privacy and overreach.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen LaLiga in the news related to streaming piracy:
- LaLiga Assists in Arrest of Magis TV Operators
- LaLiga Uses Fear Tactics to Combat Streaming Piracy
- LaLiga Claims Historic IPTV Takedown
For more details on this story, refer to the article from El Pais and the report from TorrentFreak.
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