Bali: Consumers using pirate streaming services across Asia-Pacific are increasingly exposing themselves to cybersecurity threats, privacy breaches and financial fraud, according to a new study released by the Coalition Against Piracy (CAP), an initiative of the Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA).
The report, titled Consumer Harms and Fraud Pathways in Asia-Pacific’s Illicit Streaming Economy, was unveiled at CAP’s annual State of Piracy Roundtable held alongside the APOS Summit in Bali. Authored by cybersecurity researcher Professor Paul Watters, the study offers what CAP describes as the first comprehensive analysis of the consumer risks associated with digital piracy models across the region.
The research examined major forms of illicit content consumption including illicit streaming devices (ISDs), IPTV subscription services, playlist sellers, account-sharing schemes and third-party streaming applications.
According to the findings, nearly half of the illicit streaming applications tested contained malware capable of harvesting personal information, compromising devices and recruiting users into cybercrime botnets.
The report also found that consumers purchasing piracy services through social media platforms, messaging applications and online marketplaces are increasingly vulnerable to advance-payment scams, phishing attacks and fraudulent services. Users accessing compromised streaming credentials may also face account takeovers, financial losses and identity theft.
Additionally, pirate streaming websites were found to frequently redirect consumers to malicious advertisements, malware downloads and fraudulent websites.
Professor Paul Watters said the findings demonstrate that digital piracy has evolved far beyond copyright infringement and now carries significant consumer risk. “Many consumers believe they are simply finding a cheaper way to watch television, movies and sports content. In reality, they are often stepping into an ecosystem that exposes them to malware, identity theft, fraud and broader cybercrime. The risks are substantial and, in many cases, invisible to users until after the damage has been done,” said Watters.
CAP General Manager Matthew Cheetham said the report broadens the conversation around piracy from intellectual property concerns to consumer safety. “For years, piracy has been framed primarily as a content theft problem. This research shows that it is increasingly a consumer harm problem. The same criminal networks facilitating piracy are often creating opportunities for fraud, phishing, malware distribution and identity theft.”
Cheetham added, “The message to consumers is straightforward: if a streaming service looks too good to be true, it probably is. The financial savings offered by piracy services can come at a far greater cost in terms of privacy, security and personal risk.”
Beyond identifying consumer risks, the report outlines measures that can help reduce harm and disrupt piracy networks. Recommendations include stronger platform moderation, tighter enforcement against piracy merchants, increased consumer awareness initiatives and closer collaboration between governments, industry stakeholders and cybersecurity experts.
The report also calls on e-commerce platforms, payment providers, banks, messaging services, infrastructure operators and social media companies to play a more active role in addressing the convergence of piracy and cybercrime.
Released during CAP’s invitation-only State of Piracy Roundtable, the findings were discussed among policymakers, regulators, law enforcement agencies, technology companies, internet service providers, cybersecurity specialists and rights holders from across the Asia-Pacific region.
