BALI, INDONESIA, June 16, 2026 - (ACN Newswire) - Consumers using pirate streaming services across Asia-Pacific are exposing themselves to serious cybersecurity, privacy and financial risks, according to a new study released today by the Coalition Against Piracy (CAP), an initiative of the Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA).

The report, Consumer Harms and Fraud Pathways in Asia-Pacific’s Illicit Streaming Economy, was launched at CAP’s annual State of Piracy Roundtable, held alongside the APOS Summit in Bali. Authored by cybersecurity researcher Professor Paul Watters, this report provides the first comprehensive analysis of the consumer risks associated with major forms of digital piracy in the region, including illicit streaming devices (ISDs), IPTV subscription services, playlist sellers, account sharing schemes and third-party streaming applications.

The findings challenge the common perception that piracy is a harmless or low-risk way to access entertainment. Instead, the study found that consumers are routinely exposed to scams, malware, phishing attacks, identity theft and account compromise, often with little or no recourse when things go wrong. Among the report's most concerning findings:

Nearly half of tested illicit streaming applications were found to contain malware capable of harvesting personal data, compromising devices and recruiting users into cybercrime botnets. Consumers purchasing piracy services through social media, messaging apps and online marketplaces face significant risks of advance-payment scams and service fraud. Many illicit streaming services expose users to phishing attacks, credential theft and identity fraud. Consumers who purchase or share streaming account credentials risk account takeover, financial loss and exposure to stolen or compromised accounts. Pirate streaming sites frequently redirect users to malicious advertising, malware downloads and fraudulent websites.

Professor Paul Watters notes the research demonstrates that piracy services have evolved far beyond simple copyright infringement. "Many consumers believe they are simply finding a cheaper way to watch television, movies and sports content. In reality, they are often stepping into an ecosystem that exposes them to malware, identity theft, fraud and broader cybercrime. The risks are substantial and, in many cases, invisible to users until after the damage has been done," said Watters.

CAP General Manager Matthew Cheetham said the findings reinforce the need to view digital piracy as a consumer protection and cybersecurity issue, not simply an intellectual property issue. "For years, piracy has been framed primarily as a content theft problem. This research shows that it is increasingly a consumer harm problem. The same criminal networks facilitating piracy are often creating opportunities for fraud, phishing, malware distribution and identity theft." Cheetham continued, "The message to consumers is straightforward: if a streaming service looks too good to be true, it probably is. The financial savings offered by piracy services can come at a far greater cost in terms of privacy, security and personal risk."

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