Kenya authorities shut down illegal streaming operation

The crackdown, led by the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) and the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau with the assistance of cyber security company Irdeto, saw the arrest of an unspecified number of suspects and the seizure of computer equipment.

KECOBO said those arrested, including the alleged mastermind, Kelvin Kiplangat Sing'oei, were selling premium streaming content illegally. It added that the seized equipment would be sent to the Cyber Crime Unit at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations for further analysis.

Following the crackdown, Partners Against Piracy (PAP) Kenya, a multi-stakeholder anti-piracy lobby group, lauded the authorities and said that piracy had played a major role in crippling the creative economy.

“Where producing content for African audiences stops being profitable or worthwhile, production stops,” PAP chairperson Mike Strano said. “So, the creative industries from Kenya and Africa will be the biggest losers. Also, if piracy succeeds, consumers will be reduced to making do with poor quality entertainment, old content and content that does not fulfil the needs of their community or their culture.”

PAP said despite steps taken to fight it, content piracy not only in Africa but around the globe was at an all-time high.

In the recent past, the Kenyan government has taken some steps to clamp down on illegal streaming by working with internet service providers to block access to illegal streaming websites. But advanced technology in the hands of pirates have made it relatively easy to acquire and redistribute content illegally.

“Internet streaming piracy is not only a criminal offence but also poses serious risks to consumers who may have their personal data, including banking information, compromised by pirate operations,” Strano added. “PAP Kenya would like to emphasise that engaging in internet streaming piracy is illegal, and like-minded stakeholders will continue to fight against this form of theft, leaving no stone unturned.”

PAP urged consumers to be cautious and vigilant when accessing online content and to only use legitimate sources. It says profits from piracy end up funding other criminal activity, including identity theft, and human and drug trafficking.

Related article: Content piracy: Kenya’s little understood multibillion shilling crime