Mar 19, 2020
A cinema at home, content for free: apps, add-ons and streaming boxes
The same device can run a licensed service and an unlicensed one side by side.
In short: streaming sticks, set-top boxes and smart TVs can install third-party apps and add-ons. Some of these pull films, series and live channels from unlicensed sources and present them like a normal service.
How these apps work
Most do not store any video. They search and scrape the same link sites and file hosts that a browser would, then play the result in a clean interface. Some are distributed through unofficial app stores, repositories or download links shared in forums and groups.
What can be done
- Report the sources the apps play from, which removes content for every app that uses them.
- Report listings for the apps where they are distributed.
- Report devices sold with unlicensed apps pre-installed on marketplaces.
The takeaway
An app is a front end. The files, streams and hosts behind it are where removal has the widest effect, and they are the same places pirated video usually lives.
Related service: Piracy monitoring.