Italy ‘Switches Off’ Illegal Streaming Servers
Just days before the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, Italy launched “Operation Switch Off,” a sweeping multinational crackdown on illegal IPTV networks. It was coordinated by Italian prosecutors and cybercrime police alongside Eurojust, Europol, and Interpol. The operation spanned 29 raids across 11 Italian cities and 14 countries. Authorities dismantled major pirate platforms like IPTVItalia and DarkTV. These platforms had been unlawfully streaming content from Sky, Netflix, DAZN, and others. An estimated 125,000 Italian users were cut off, with millions more affected globally.
The Olympic timing was no coincidence — officials signaled the action was partly intended to protect high-profile broadcast rights. Italy has been increasingly aggressive in combating piracy, fining end users and targeting resellers and Telegram distribution channels. The country has also deployed its controversial “Piracy Shield” system, which allows regulators to issue real-time blocking orders on ISPs — though critics note it sometimes ensnares legitimate services. The operation underscores a growing global consensus that industrial-scale streaming piracy demands coordinated, proactive enforcement.
UK Shutters Illegal Streaming Services, Makes Arrests
UK law enforcement agency PIPCU executed warrants in Manchester, arresting four individuals and seizing 10 servers valued at £750,000 (US$ 1.02 million) in a takedown of a large-scale illegal IPTV operation. The investigation was triggered by a tip from Sky. The broadcaster flagged suspicious activity linked to a service allegedly supplying millions of unlawful streams across the UK. One suspect is believed to have generated over £3 million (US$ 4.09 million) in revenue. Servers were shut down on-site, causing immediate, widespread disruption to the illegal streaming network.
Authorities emphasized that pirate IPTV is far from a victimless activity. Beyond harming broadcasters and content creators, research suggests that nearly 65% of illegal streamers have encountered security risks, such as malware, through these services. The operation, conducted as the television industry marks its 100th anniversary, reflects the growing importance of industry-law enforcement partnerships in combating organized streaming crime and protecting both creative industries and everyday consumers.