Warnings issued to “dodgy box” owners in Ireland as clampdown ramps up

The war on dodgy boxes continues.

The notices - delivered in person, by post and by email - were part of a major operation that took place in December. The clampdown has led to several services being shut down.

This is the fourth series of engagement action, since March 2023, which has now led to the closure of almost 70 illegal Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) providers. Fifty of these services were shut down in 2024 alone.

The major clampdown is a joint effort between the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) alongside broadcasters and law enforcement.

According to FACT, many consumers are unaware that piracy networks are often linked to organised crime and could potentially be funding other illegal activities.

Consumers' devices are also at risk of viruses and malware, with their data also at risk using illegal TV services.

FACT chairman Kieron Sharp said: "Together with our partners we will continue to identify and take action against Illegal IPTV service providers.

"They are breaking the law, making criminal profits and putting consumers at real risk of malware, data loss and identity theft.

"We want to protect consumers from these risks and operations such as this ensure the message goes out.

"It is not scaremongering, these are real criminal actions which consumers and their families are exposed to."