The fight against digital piracy has seen a significant win, with nearly 3,000 websites blocked or seized for illegally streaming World Cup matches.
The US Department of Justice, in collaboration with enforcement agencies across South America, carried out operations 'Operation Offsides' and 'Operation Red Card', resulting in over 1,000 domains being shut down in the US alone, and a similar number blocked in Colombia.
According to Ivan J. Arvelo, director of the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center, unauthorized broadcasting of World Cup matches not only violates intellectual property rights but also 'fuels criminal organizations'.
The sustained effort to seize more than a thousand domains dedicated to illegally streaming the World Cup confirms the administration's commitment to intellectual property rights and to the success of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement has largely overseen the enforcement, with the assistance of the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment, which aims to combat digital piracy. The crackdown has also been supported by FIFA, beIN Media Group, NBC Universal, Ultimate Fighting Championship, and Warner Brothers.
The operation's success has led to several arrests, including four members of the 'cybercriminal group' Los Ciberinfiltrados, who were arrested for allegedly gaining and distributing access to World Cup games illegally. Another 830 websites were also taken down in Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic.
In addition to tackling illegal streaming, Colombian police conducted nationwide search-and-seizure operations targeting counterfeit sports clothing, resulting in 11 arrests and convictions for the illegal manufacture and distribution of fake sporting merchandise.