Close of theAGCOM (Authority for guarantees in communications) for users of the Pirate portal Streaming Community which allows illegal streaming of films and TV series: now, after a series of targeted dark, those who watch copyright protected content through this illegal platform can be identified through their own IP address (which is not even hidden by the so -called “unknown” navigation) and fined with penalties ranging from 154 up to 5000 eurosin case of recurrence. The novelty lies precisely in the application of a protocol, the result of a collaboration between Agcom and Guardia di Finanzawhich allows you to record these accesses and automatically sanction users, even if the mechanism has not yet been completely extensive to all types of content.
The Streaming Community case
But let’s take a step back. Streaming Community it has long been the reference point for those looking for films and TV series for free. It was presented with an intuitive interface, very similar to that of the legal platforms, and also had a Telegram channel followed by hundreds of thousands of people. The site, however, did not have any rights on the content distributed: it was in all respects pirate material, taken from paid platforms and offered free of charge, with the only “cost” represented by invasive advertising and, now, by increasingly concrete legal consequences.
Unlike what was assumed by the platform managers themselves, recent darkening has not been implemented through Piracy Shieldthe system wanted by AGCOM To block piracy online, but through a more one “Traditional” operation conducted by the computer fraud nucleus. This is because Piracy Shield was born mainly to block illegal sports streaming.
But in the practical act, what happens for those who try to use streaming community and what role does the IP address has in all this? To answer this question, it is important to understand first of all What is the IP address. Basically, it is a unique numerical code assigned to each device when connected to the Internet. This code technically allows to trace the identity of the user who uses it, especially if the authorities request it to internet service providers. It is therefore not necessary to register on these sites to be traced: just simply access you and remain connected for the time necessary to trigger monitoring.
Until recently, the risk for those who looked at Pirate content was theoretical: the police were mainly concentrated on the dismantling of the organizations that managed illegal platforms. Today the situation has changed. There Guardia di Finanza He has started at least three procedures using the new protocol, which allows you to issue automatic sanctions. The first fines have already arrived: according to some estimates there are a few thousand users who have received novices of violation in recent weeks. The sanctions start from 154 euros And, in the event that the user is surprised a second time, the fine jumps to 5000 euros!
In all this, an important point must be clarified: in Italy Piracy is not classified as a criminal offensebut like administrative offense. This means that sanctions do not provide judicial proceedings, but they can still have a significant economic impact, especially for recurrence.
What the one who uses Streaming Community risks: who is sanctioned
The direction undertaken by AGCOM and the Guardia di Finanza is clearly aimed at also responsible for those who use pirate content, not only those who distribute them. The logic behind this approach is that of contrast the application, not only the supply. If the use of illegal content becomes less convenient – not only for ethical or qualitative reasons, but also for the concrete risk of a fine – then it is hoped that less people choose this path.
If you are wondering if it is already possible to be sanctioned for seeing a movie on streaming community, the answer is yes, even if not automatically for everyone. Occasional access does not trigger the sanction, but if the vision flow is monitored – for example, if you watch an entire film transmitted illegally – and your IP is recorded, the fine can arrive. Confirmed it Massimiliano CapitanioCommissioner of AGCOM, in an interview with Fanpagewhere he clarified:
Opening streaming community does not trigger a fine. But if I put myself to watch the latest Disney film and the flow is recorded by an authority then this behavior is liable to sanction. If I watch a movie and I stay for Tot time it is obvious that I am stealing a content.
