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A third of all Australians who access pirated media have been impacted by fraud, ID theft, and other security risks.
You might think that a new report from a body whose aim is to promote the importance of protecting copyright and fight against online piracy saying, effectively, “Piracy is bad, don’t do it” to be relatively unsurprising, but Creative Content Australia’s (CCA) Australian Piracy Behaviours and Attitudes Survey – released last week – reveals some interesting cyber security concerns.
According to the report, there is a definite correlation between pirating media and cyber security risk, with a third of all “self-confessed streaming pirates”, as CCA calls them, reporting falling victim to some form of cyber crime, from scams and identity theft to even ransomware attacks.
For those using illegal streaming services, the risk appears to be much higher, with 75 per cent of those polled reporting some form of cyber crime directed at them.
Despite the apparent risks, 18 per cent of Australian adults still pirate their media, an overall result that Chris Chard, chair of Creative Content Australia, said is worrying.
“The research revealed that nearly one in five Australian adults continue to pirate movies and TV shows – this is concerning on multiple levels because not only are people jeopardising their online safety by visiting these sites, but they’re also stealing from the hardworking people who create and distribute the content we all love,” Chard said in a statement.
“The connection between pirate sites and cyber crime was laid bare, with a third of respondents who admitted to piracy also reported experiencing cyber security issues thereafter, with it increasing year on year.
“The danger of fraud, identity theft, or hacking skyrockets for those subscribing to illegal streaming services, with a staggering 75 per cent of Aussies using these services falling victim to cyber crime. Never risk your personal information for the lure of free streaming – you will end up paying much more.”
Benjamin Zeccola, CEO of Palace Cinemas, said piracy is often a part of larger criminal enterprises.
“Illegal streamers may not intend to cause harm – they often view piracy as ‘victimless’,” Zeccola said.
“Yet paradoxically, they sustain offshore criminal gangs that undercut local jobs and opportunities.”
The survey was carried out by Screen Audience Research Australia and polled 1,239 adults around Australia in October 2023, weighted to ABS data to build a representative picture of the wider population.
You can read the full Australian Piracy Behaviours and Attitudes Survey here.
David Hollingworth has been writing about technology for over 20 years, and has worked for a range of print and online titles in his career. He is enjoying getting to grips with cyber security, especially when it lets him talk about Lego.
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