With all the media hype, online piracy can come across like some sort of boogeyman: scary, but ill-defined. So how common is piracy in reality? Is it actually worth all the media spectacle — or is it far, far worse? Understanding the strange allure of digital piracy in America and across the globe can help shed light on its immense popularity. Indeed, pirated content has a stranglehold on internet users the world over despite the severe risks involved. Unless something changes, this problem isn’t disappearing anytime soon.
We at StreamSafley devote ourselves to exposing the meretricious facets of torrent sites, unlicensed software, and piracy websites. Join us as we unmask these illegal entities for what they are and prove that their shortsighted benefits are never worth the long-term costs.
How Popular Is Illegal Streaming?
The numbers paint a concerning picture of illegal streaming’s prevalence. StreamSafely’s own piracy statistics research found that Americans made 15.5 billion visits to media piracy sites in 2022, the highest number for any one country. A Variety report confirmed that over one in 10 adults engaged in some form of content piracy in the U.S. that year. Russia, China, and India were the next three largest perpetrators of internet piracy, with a combined total of 20.8 billion visits to illicit sites.
That same year, countries in Europe made roughly 4.47 billion visits to websites offering copyright-infringing content, according to the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), which amounts to 10 visits per person per month. According to the study, TV show piracy made up nearly half — 48% — of all visits. Films, pirated software, and music piracy made up 11%, 7%, and 6% of visits respectively.
As a result, the entertainment industry is facing substantial revenue losses. Bloomberg estimates that piracy takes away $30 billion from the U.S. economy annually. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, this could equate to as high as 560,000 lost or unrealized jobs.
Reasons for Choosing Piracy Over Legal Options
While illegal streaming is never justified, understanding why people choose this route helps address the underlying factors driving this behavior. Here are seven common reasons people turn to unauthorized sources:
1. Cost
According to the same Variety study mentioned above, 48% of respondents cite cost as the primary driver of seeking out pirated content. With multiple streaming services charging monthly fees, the combined cost can add up quickly. In fact, The Motley Fool calculated that subscribing to every major streaming platform could run a bill as high as $491.92 per month. While it’s uncommon to subscribe to all available platforms, most households are paying for three streaming subscriptions — plus the cost of internet to use them. In isolation, it’s easy to see why privacy could be appealing. However, this mindset overlooks the value provided by legitimate services, including reliable access, high-quality content, and fair compensation for creators.
2. Content Availability
As per Variety, the next most commonly reported consideration was content availability. The study broke availability into two facets: 1. The content not being available outside of pirated sources or 2. The content not being available in the respondent’s region. Combined, these considerations made up 68% of responses and could be considered the No. 1 motivator overall.
Each streaming platform must navigate its own licensing agreements in each country, which can end up limiting access to certain shows, movies, or platforms in specific locations. For example, Hulu, Peacock, and Max are all famously unavailable in Canada, despite their parent companies being located just over the border. When content isn’t available through legitimate channels, some viewers turn to illegal options rather than waiting for official releases or new licensing agreements.
3. Convenience
Some users perceive illegal streaming sites as more convenient, offering content in one place without switching between services or confusing streaming bundles. This misconception ignores the significant risks associated with such platforms, including malware and poor streaming quality. Plus, it completely overlooks helpful resources like StreamSafley. We’ve compiled a comprehensive database of movies and TV shows so that you know exactly what streaming platform has the content you love. If convenience is what you’re looking for, look no further!
4. Fragmentation of Streaming Services
Piggybacking off the point of convenience, the increasing number of streaming platforms has not only led to content being spread across multiple services, it complicated the very logistics of each account. Each platform — or each bundle — will have its own payment date and processes and, if set up properly, should have a unique password for the best protection. This can be hard to keep up with. Some viewers simply feel too overwhelmed by managing multiple subscriptions and resort to illegal alternatives instead.
5. Lack of Awareness
According to Variety, most people — 60% in fact — are aware of legal alternatives, but there still remains a glaring 21% who aren’t. Plus, many users might not realize they’re accessing illegal content, especially when streaming websites appear professional and legitimate. That’s why it’s important to learn how to recognize the red flags of illegal streaming sites. We at Streamsafely can be your partner in discovering legal and free streaming options while teaching you how to protect against illicit streaming platforms.
6. FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)
When a TV series becomes a cultural phenomenon, like “Game of Thrones,” “Stranger Things,” or “Fallout,” the pressure to stay current and participate in conversations can drive viewers toward unauthorized sources. When viewers lack access to the right subscription service, they may feel left out of the cultural moment.
Plus, social media is often rife with spoilers. Not seeing the series or movie in question the moment it is released can mean missing out on having your own authentic reaction and unbiased impression.
7. Chances of Being Caught
Some users believe the likelihood of facing consequences for illegal streaming is low. This perception is dangerous and can lead viewers to underestimate both legal risks and security threats. Remember, your internet service provider (ISP) can see every URL you visit and may be compelled to terminate your service if they believe you are illegally accessing copyrighted content.
Even if you don’t end up on the radar of the ISP, law enforcement, or rights holders, the entity that is certainly aware of your activity is the illegal streaming site itself. Engaging with illegal platforms makes you a target for malicious ads, dangerous downloads, and phishing attempts. It only takes one misstep to land in very serious trouble.
It’s one thing for individuals to realize the unethical nature of piracy websites, and it’s another for legitimate streaming platforms and production companies to recognize the concerns of their would-be users. If both sides come together, we may just see an appreciable drop in piracy.
The Risks of Illegal Streaming
Putting ethical considerations and convenience aside, illegal streaming comes with numerous risks that many users fail to consider that can have real, immediate consequences:
- Legal Consequences: Copyright infringement can result in significant fines and legal action. Even the smallest infractions can come with one year in prison and a $1,000 fine.
- Security Threats: Illegal streaming sites often contain malware, ransomware, and phishing campaigns, which can cripple your device or expose your sensitive information.
- Personal Data Theft: Identity theft affects 9% of Americans every year. Many unauthorized platforms harvest user information. Unprotected or vulnerable passwords, email addresses, and even payment information can be sold online.
- Poor Quality: Unreliable connections, low resolution, and frequent buffering are common occurrences on illegal streaming platforms. These sites typically have no customer service line, so getting them to function properly — all other risks aside — can be more of a headache than it’s worth.
- Disruptive Advertising: Illegal streaming platforms often have a low bar when it comes to who they allow to advertise with them. Sexually explicit ads are common on such platforms, as well as gambling ads and disruptive pop-ups.
Benefits of Safe and Legal Streaming Alternatives
Legitimate streaming services have made legal content more accessible than ever. While the sheer quantity of platforms and bundle options may be overwhelming at first, these platforms offer numerous advantages that make them worth the investment.
- Improved Quality and Maintenance: Users can enjoy high-quality, reliable streams without interruption or buffering issues. Regular updates and new content ensure there’s always something fresh to watch. When technical issues arise, customer support is readily available to help resolve them.
- Account Consistency Across Devices: Legitimate streaming services allow you to watch your favorite content on your preferred device. Unauthorized platforms are not always optimized for mobile or certain screen sizes, making them hard to navigate. Plus, having a paid subscription allows you to have a customizable account that will remember where you left off and give you recommendations based on previous content you enjoyed.
- Parental Controls: Family-friendly viewing options and parental controls can give users peace of mind about their children’s viewing habits. Legitimate platforms also tailor their ad content to each account, meaning you won’t encounter inappropriate advertisements.
- Enhanced Security: Perhaps most importantly, legitimate services eliminate the risk of malware or security breaches that often plague illegal streaming sites. By choosing authorized platforms, viewers free themselves of potential cyberattacks and actively support the creators and production companies that bring their favorite content to life.
- Flexible Pricing and Tailored Services: Many services now offer numerous pricing tiers, including ad-supported options that make legal streaming more affordable. And while bundles may be confusing, finding the right one can make a world of difference to your wallet and your viewing experience overall. StreamSafely can help you pick and choose exactly what service suits you best.
Remember, the small cost of legitimate services is far outweighed by the benefits of reliable, high-quality streaming and peace of mind. Do yourself a favor and choose authorized platforms every time.
How To Find Safe and Legal Streaming Sources
Finding legitimate streaming options has never been easier, and we at StreamSafely are here to help! We have a vast movie and TV show database where you can search for all of your favorite content and find out which legal platforms to use to view them. We eliminate the guesswork and can get you streaming the content you love in no time! If you’re still on the fence about what platform is right for you or don’t want to make a financial commitment, we can also direct you to 100% free, legal streaming services. You’ll get immediate access to a large variety of movies and shows without putting yourself at risk. It’s that simple!
The streaming industry is always evolving and licensing agreements change, but our team at StreamSafely always keeps on top of the latest changes to bring you the best and most reliable information we can. We’re also dedicated to educating users about the dangers of piracy, and we encourage you to access and share our resource library so that you and everyone you know can stay as safe as possible.
By staying informed about legitimate streaming options and understanding the risks of illegal alternatives, viewers like you can make better choices about their entertainment consumption. Stay safe and happy streaming!
