A MAJOR warning has been issued to homeowners with ‘dodgy boxes’ after 13 legal notices were issued in a new crackdown.
The notices were issued to providers of illegal streaming TV services.
They were issued over a two week operation in December 2024 instructing providers to immediately stop the illegal streaming activities.
Providers across Dublin, Cork, Donegal, Offaly, Limerick, Louth, Clare, Westmeath and Laois recieved the notices.
And they were warned they may face legal consequences, including criminal prosecution if they did not cease activities.
The notices were delivered in person, by email and by post.
It comes as the latest move in The Federation Against Copyright Theft’s (FACT) operations to crackdown on Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) providers.
This latest operation has led to services being shut down and subscriptions terminated.
Similar operations targeting ‘dodgy boxes’ will continue throughout 2025.
Almost 70 illegal services have been closed across the country since March 2023.
Fact said: “The action is having an impact on the piracy landscape in Ireland, with more operators being identified than ever before, with more illegal services being disrupted impacting tens of thousands of end-users who would have watched the streams.”
And Fact have revealed many customers are not aware that the services are illegal.
Under Irish law using or owning a ‘dodgy box’ is a crime and is punishable by both a fine and criminal prosecution.
In an alert to homeowners using one of the streaming boxes FACT warned of the hidden dangers, aside from legal ramifications.
The risks include identity theft, data loss and malware.
Kieron Sharp, Chairman of Fact, 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.”
‘REAL CRIMINAL ACTIONS’
The Chairman added the warning is not “scaremongering” and that there are real “risks” involved.
“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.
“These investigations and operations will continue this new year.”
