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US Seizes 400 Domains Flooding World Cup Streams
27 Jun
Summary
- Nearly 400 internet domains used for illegal World Cup streaming were seized.
- Action disrupted international networks profiting from the tournament's popularity.
- Viewers of illegal streams faced threats like malware and data compromise.

U.S. authorities have seized nearly 400 internet domains that were facilitating illegal World Cup streaming. The operation, conducted with assistance from FIFA and media companies, aimed to dismantle international networks exploiting the tournament's popularity. These domains illegally offered real-time streams of copyrighted matches.
Officials emphasized that such illegal streaming not only violates copyright laws but also poses significant risks to viewers. These risks include exposure to malware and insecure connections that could compromise sensitive personal and financial information. Servers and domains were specifically targeted in Peru and Bulgaria, with additional disruptions occurring in Croatia, Romania, Poland, and Colombia.
The World Cup, which began on June 11, is being hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Games are scheduled in 16 cities across these three nations through July 19. FIFA has reported record attendance for the matches, and recent games have been highly watched television programs.