Italian authorities have successfully dismantled Cinemagoal, a major streaming piracy network that illegally rebroadcast content from platforms like Netflix and Disney+. The Guardia di Finanza conducted over 100 search and seizures nationwide, shutting down an operation that generated millions through unauthorized content distribution.
The app operated 24/7, using legitimate subscription codes to create fake accounts that streamed media to subscribers. Cinemagoal subscriptions cost between €40-130 annually and were paid through hard-to-trace methods like cryptocurrency. The app's design bypassed security checks without requiring user IP connections, making tracking difficult for authorities.
Italian authorities estimate the piracy operation caused €300 million in financial harm and are targeting the first 1,000 subscribers with fines ranging from €154-5,000. European law enforcement collaborated to seize servers containing decryption data. This action follows a broader trend of piracy crackdowns, including the shutdown of Popcorn Time in 2022 and Streameast last September.
Source: Engadget · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing