Exposing the Dark Side of Illegal Olympic Streams: Gambling Ads Surge as Users Pay the Price
Surge in Illegal Streaming Amidst Olympic Games: Report Reveals Alarming Trends
Overview of Findings
A recent report released by technical intelligence platform Yield Sec highlights a worrying trend in illegal streaming during this summer’s Olympic Games, held from July 26 to August 11. The data reveals that gambling adverts promoting black market brands appeared on a staggering 46% of all illegal streams, making it the most prominent industry in this concerning arena.
Scale of Illegal Streaming
According to Yield Sec, the Olympics saw approximately 266.7 million views of illegal streams lasting 90 seconds or longer. This phenomenon not only raises concerns about copyright infringement but also exposes viewers to significant risks associated with unregulated online activities.
“Illegal streaming is not about getting something for nothing,” stated Yield Sec. “It’s about the serious risks users unknowingly expose themselves to.” The report emphasizes that users often feel they are accessing premium content for free, but in reality, they may be yielding their personal data, device security, and processing power to the illegal streamers and the criminal organizations that support them.
Dominance of Illegal Gambling Advertisements
Among the various industries that took advantage of the illegal streaming landscape, unlicensed gambling operators emerged as the notable leaders. The report highlights that 46% of all illegal streams featured gambling advertisements, many of which referenced Olympic events. In contrast, online gaming ads accounted for 18% of all illegal streams, while adult entertainment and cryptocurrency ads made up 11% and 9%, respectively.
Manipulation and Consumer Risks
Highlighting the risks associated with these illegal streaming services, the report notes that viewers were frequently exposed to unregulated gambling advertisements. Remarkably, these ads appeared four times every ten minutes on average. While the report does not specify which brands were featured, it warns of the dangers posed by these black market ads.
Moreover, a significant concern arises from stream delays, which can be manipulated to gain an unfair advantage. “The feed on the illegal streaming was provided with a delay,” Yield Sec noted. “Bets placed on the match directly from watching that illegal stream would be placed on events that the illegal gambling operator already knew the outcome for, effectively cheating the consumer of their betting stakes.”
Geographic Distribution of Illegal Streams
The report also delves into the sources of illegal streams, identifying 11,958 unique locations online, with an additional 120,000 spots serving as mirrors and redirects for streaming. Geographically, Asia dominated the illegal streaming scene, accounting for 36% of all streams. Europe and the UK followed, contributing 21% of the total streams, while Latin America, North America, and Africa represented 17%, 16%, and 9%, respectively. Notably, Australia and New Zealand were responsible for just 1% of the illegal Olympics streams.
Conclusion
The extensive prevalence of illegal streaming during the Olympic Games underscores not only the challenges of safeguarding intellectual property rights but also the imperative need for consumers to remain vigilant. The report from Yield Sec serves as a stark reminder that engaging with illegal streams brings hidden costs, primarily in the form of compromised personal information and the exploitation of unsuspecting bettors. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, it will be essential for regulators, law enforcement, and the public to work together to combat the risks associated with these illicit activities.