Singapore – English football league Premier League has collaborated with telecommunications company StarHub for a campaign to combat illegal streaming in Singapore.
The ‘Boot Out Piracy’ campaign aims to address the risks of illegal streaming on unauthorised channels amidst this Premier League season’s run.
To highlight the dangers of piracy, the campaign features football players Alisson Becker, Alejandro Garnacho, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Hwang Hee-chan, and Bukayo Saka to speak to fans.
StarHub is the Premier League’s exclusive broadcaster in Singapore, which entails a significant role in promoting the campaign.
Recently, a study by cybersecurity expert Professor Paul Watters revealed that 65.6% of advertisements on unauthorised streaming platforms are high-risk, which may lead to malware or scams.
To further protect the intellectual property rights of broadcasters, the Premier League is conducting efforts to identify and block access to illegal streaming websites. Additionally, it is working with local law enforcement to track illegal streaming services and the people behind it.
The ‘Boot Out Piracy’ campaign is set to roll out in broadcast channels and social media platforms across Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Kevin Plumb, Premier League general counsel, commented, “We know how passionate our fans are in Singapore and across Asia, staying up late to follow the latest Premier League action. We also know the risks and dangers of watching matches through illegal streams and want supporters to enjoy Premier League content in the best quality and safest way through authorised sources.”
“As well as promoting important messaging, we are working harder than ever with Singapore’s law enforcement authorities and our partners at StarHub to enforce legal measures and take action against piracy. This includes collaborating with StarHub to identify and shut down piracy syndicates and working together with local authorities to address the distribution of illegal streaming devices. We encourage fans to protect their online safety and to enjoy Premier League matches via authorised platforms, which will provide the best viewing experience,” Plumb added.
“The research findings underscore the urgent need for online users to stay vigilant and avoid platforms that stream pirated content. Users may be under the impression that these sites are harmless, but cybercriminals are always planning to launch cyberattacks such as data breaches, ransomware and malware, putting users at significant risks. The Premier League’s Boot Out Piracy campaign helps make these risks clear to fans in Singapore,” Watters said.
“As the Home of Sports, StarHub is dedicated to providing fans with the best possible viewing experience. We firmly believe in the importance of protecting our content from piracy. Piracy undermines our industry and threatens the future of sports content. By prioritising content protection, we ensure that fans can enjoy their favourite sport in a safe, secure environment,” Johan Buse, chief of consumer business group at StarHub, said.
“StarHub is proud to support Premier League’s ‘Boot Out Piracy’ campaign, and we are committed to fostering a vibrant sports community where every moment is valued and celebrated. Together, we urge fans to enjoy the game through legitimate channels, safeguarding the future of football for everyone,” Buse added.
