Argentina Blocks 50+ Pirate Domains Streaming Football and Arrests Alleged Operator

• Several domains advertising pirated sports content from Futbol Libre and Megadeportes were blocked in Argentina.
• Local authorities managed to apprehend the alleged operator of these illegal websites. 
• The suspect reportedly served as a consultant to other owners of pirate sites.

Argentinian authorities’ criminal investigation into a major pirate sports streaming operation resulted in the arrest of an individual who reportedly was the operator behind it. The authorities also ordered Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block several domains streaming pirated content and conducted a raid that resulted in the seizure of computers and other evidence.

The Department of Justice in Argentina ordered local ISPs to block access to more than 50 pirate sites that illegally distributed content using the popular streaming brands Futbol Libre and Megadeportes. The full list of domains that have been taken down has not yet been disclosed.

The Specialized Prosecutor’s Unit for the Investigation of Cybercrimes managed to arrest the alleged founder and operator of these domains in the province of Mendoza and then transported the individual to Buenos Aires for questioning. 

The suspect’s name was not disclosed, but the alias ‘Kahsad’ was reportedly used to start the Megadeportes pirate sites, according to local media. However, this name’s link to the illegal sports streaming platforms hasn’t been confirmed.

The apprehended individual is accused of violating copyright laws by operating illegal sports streaming domains. The president of local anti-piracy organization Alianza said the suspect also helped other owners of pirate sports streaming portals, serving as a consultant of sorts.

Last year, Alianza got the country’s first dynamic site blocking order and asked ISPs in Argentina to restrict 30 illegal sports streaming sites. To reduce piracy alternatives, Alianza flagged more sites and a person of interest, which led to this arrest.

In recent news, European anti-piracy agency BREIN recently took offline the pirate service IPTVpremium, selling IPTV packages that breached copyright laws in Europe.