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| Source: Premier League. Premier League stars are helping to raise awareness of the dangers of illegal streams in the Boot Out Piracy campaign. Becker of Liverpool. |
With the Premier League 2024/25 season under way, the Premier League, in collaboration with its local broadcast partner StarHub, is continuing its action to educate consumers about the dangers of accessing pirated content and to combat illegal streaming in Singapore.
The League’s Boot Out Piracy campaign for this season brings together some of the biggest names in football — Alisson Becker (Liverpool FC), Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace), Hwang Hee-chan (Wolves), and Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) — to address the dangers of illegal streaming.
Through a series of videos distributed across digital platforms, these players speak directly to Singaporean fans, warning them of the significant risks associated with accessing Premier League content through unauthorised channels. This campaign follows a recent study by cybersecurity expert Professor Paul -Watters, which highlights the serious risks associated with illegal sports streaming - cybercriminals are exploiting illicit sports streaming sites, putting Singaporean consumers at risk of identity theft and fraud through browser hijacking, malware and misleading ads.
The August 2024 research examined 25 popular illicit sports streaming sites in Singapore, and found that almost two thirds (65.6%) of advertisements on these platforms are classified as “high-risk”, which significantly increases the likelihood of exposure to malware or fraudulent scams. The risk of encountering malicious activity on these platforms is 44%.
Premier League General Counsel Kevin Plumb said: “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.”
Professor Watters remarked: “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.”
As the exclusive broadcaster of the Premier League in Singapore, StarHub has a pivotal role in the Boot Out Piracy campaign. “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,” said Johan Buse, Chief of Consumer Business Group, StarHub.
“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. 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."
The Premier League has been working closely with local law enforcement to crack down on illegal streaming services in Singapore. Most recently a man who sold illegal streaming devices at Sim Lim Square in Singapore was sentenced to 10 months’ jail, following investigation carried out in collaboration between the Premier League, the Singapore Attorney-General Chambers, and the Intellectual Property Rights Branch of the Singapore Police Force.
As part of its broader strategy to protect its content and safeguard the intellectual property rights of local broadcasters, the Premier League has been conducting site-blocking efforts aimed at identifying and blocking access to websites that stream football matches illegally. A total of over 560 domains in Singapore have been blocked by the Premier League. The Boot Out Piracy campaign will be showcased across broadcast channels and social media platforms in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam in the upcoming months.
