Internet service providers (ISPs) in Canada have reportedly blocked access to popular pirate IPTV services. These services were allegedly offering copyrighted content without permission and were targeted by a court order obtained by a group of Canadian broadcasters and telecommunications companies. While the blocking of pirate IPTV services is not new in Canada, the court order has raised concerns among privacy advocates.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what’s happening and what you need to know.
The Court Order and Blocked Services
The court order was issued by the Federal Court of Canada and required ISPs to block access to the websites and servers associated with the targeted IPTV services. While the exact number of blocked services is unknown, many IPTV customers have reported being unable to access certain services.
Privacy Concerns
The court order reportedly requires ISPs to log the IP addresses of customers who attempt to access the blocked services. This has raised concerns among privacy advocates who fear that the personal information of innocent customers could be collected and used by authorities.
According to law professor Michael Geist at the University of Ottawa, the court order raises several privacy concerns. He suggests that the order is overly broad and could potentially result in innocent customers being caught up in the blocking. He also notes that the order does not require any oversight or review, meaning that the ISPs have the power to decide which services to block and how to implement the blocking.
What You Can Do
If you’re a customer of one of the ISPs that has implemented the blocking, there are a few things you can do to try and regain access to the blocked IPTV services. One option is to use a virtual private network (VPN) to bypass the blocking. Another option is to switch to an ISP that does not implement blocking. However, it’s worth noting that not all ISPs are available in all areas, so switching may not be an option for everyone.
It’s also important to note that accessing pirate IPTV services is illegal and can put you at risk of legal action. While the court order may be controversial, it’s important to respect copyright laws and avoid accessing copyrighted content without permission.
As TROYPOINT often states, we do not condone piracy, and users of this technology should only be accessing works not protected by copyright.
The Future of Pirate IPTV Services in Canada
The blocking of pirate IPTV services in Canada has raised concerns among both privacy advocates and those who support stricter enforcement of copyright laws. While the court order may be effective in preventing the distribution of copyrighted content without permission, it remains to be seen how it will be implemented and whether innocent customers will be affected.
It’s possible that the blocking could lead to a decrease in the popularity of pirate IPTV services and an increase in the use of legitimate streaming services. However, it’s also possible that users will simply find new ways to access the blocked services or turn to other forms of piracy.
What About IP Address Logging & IPTV Blocks In Other Countries?
Although these IPTV blocks and IP address logging actions are reported in Canada, it’s probably also happening in other countries as well. Your Internet Service Provider logs everything that you do online, and they have the ability to block various sites that they deem ‘insecure’ or ‘illegal’. By using a VPN, your ISP can’t log what you are accessing online because your connection to the Internet is encrypted. TROYPOINT recommends using a quality VPN and only access content that isn’t protected by copyright to ensure no legal problems in the future.
Conclusion
We first learned of this concerning report on the popular TorrentFreak website.
The blocking of pirate IPTV services in Canada has raised privacy concerns and sparked debate about the balance between protecting copyright and respecting individual rights. While the court order may be controversial, it’s important to remember that accessing copyrighted content without permission is illegal and can put you at risk of legal action. If you’re a customer of one of the ISPs that has implemented the blocking, there are ways to try and regain access to the blocked services, but it’s important to proceed with caution. Ultimately, the future of pirate IPTV services in Canada remains uncertain, and it will be interesting to see how this situation develops in the coming months and years.
What are your thoughts about these Internet providers logging IP Addresses and blocking IPTV services? Let us know in the comments below.