LaLiga’s Crackdown on Piracy: Why Acestream Isn’t Working for Football Fans Anymore
Last weekend, football enthusiasts were taken by surprise when LaLiga appeared to have successfully implemented its anti-piracy measures in Spain. Acestream, a popular platform for pirate football broadcasts, suddenly stopped working, sparking a flurry of discussions on social media. But what exactly has happened, and why has pirate football suddenly hit a roadblock?
The development shouldn’t come as a shock. Back in 2023, LaLiga announced that it was working on new anti-piracy technologies to combat illegal broadcasts. They promised to roll out these measures by February 2024, and it seems they have kept their word.
Quiet but effective
LaLiga may still be fine-tuning this technology, much like what’s happening in Italy, where their anti-football piracy measures are already in full swing. This could explain the lack of official announcements and the increasing number of signal disruptions reported by users.
While there’s no official word from LaLiga detailing their methods, users on social media suggest that the blockade is nationwide. Reports indicate that services like Acestream are not functioning with Spanish IP addresses, indicating that the anti-piracy measures are working effectively.
A broader crackdown
The effectiveness of these measures lies in the fact that it’s not just Acestream that’s being targeted. Other similar services providing pirated IPTV and websites offering illegal sports streams are gradually disappearing. This concerted effort to block these services leaves little room for them to continue reaching users. Additionally, with fines looming for those consuming pirated content, most users are unlikely to attempt circumventing the blocks by changing their IP addresses.
Tougher stance on piracy
Sports authorities and entities worldwide are cracking down on piracy to stem the loss of millions of euros due to illegal broadcasts. Football isn’t the only sport affected; basketball, tennis, boxing, and others are also being targeted. The ultimate goal is to eliminate illegal streams and allow the sports sector in Spain to thrive. In response, major streaming platforms like DAZN are stepping up their content, services, and pricing to combat piracy and encourage users to subscribe to legitimate platforms.
What’s next for Acestream?
Despite the blocking of Acestream and similar services, some believe it’s only a matter of time before new sources emerge. However, if LaLiga’s technology succeeds in swiftly blocking pirate signals, it may render such efforts futile. The rapid response to piracy could make it unprofitable, ultimately leading to a victory for the sports industry.