New Year crackdown on the estimated 400,000 Irish homes streaming illegally
The so-called ‘dodgy boxes’ have become increasingly popular in recent months
Sky TV and the other major streamers and digital TV services have vowed to ‘end’ widespread evasion of subscription charges in 2026 – and they plan to use the latest available data to do so.
Sky has been in discussions with the Data Protection Commission, the watchdog that covers the collection and use of personal data in Ireland, on how they can use information collected from a range of sources to target piracy networks, the providers of illegal streaming devices and their end users, believed to be as many as 400,000 households in Ireland. Last August, a nationwide sweep included targetted networks in Munster.
The TV and digital giant has not given details on the information it wants to use – but it is believed to include private investigators gathering info about dodgy box/Firestick users from the WhatsApp groups that distribute them. Information could also be gathered about homes with high-speed broadband which do not appear to be signed up to streaming services, including Amazon, Disney, Apple and more.
Sky’s privacy notice does not make any reference to data collected via WhatsApp groups – but it does state that Sky carries out ‘social listening’ on social-media posts and forums. The notice states that Sky uses personal data “to prevent and detect fraud and protect or enforce our or any third party’s rights” and “to prevent and detect crime”.
And if the Data Commissioners decide that Sky and other companies can use the data within GDPR guidelines, Sky could quickly update terms of use and privacy rules.
The Data Commissioners have said it may be possible for Sky to use personal data – as long as it is strictly within the very powerful EU GDPR/data protection laws. Full guidance is expected to be issued shortly.
It’s understood that Sky and other providers are looking at widening the fight against dodgy box use – which is costing the sector tens of millions in pirated subscriptions every year in Ireland.
Up until now, actions have not been taken against individual users and households – Gardai have also concentrated on large commercial operators and criminal gangs running illegal streaming setups. Pubs and large venues using the devices to access servicces like Sky Sports do get prosecuted regularly.
Industry insiders believe the Data Protection Commission will confirm how Sky and other companies can use personal data sometime in the New Year. And that will be a ‘game-changer’ in the escalating war against illegal streaming.