Sweden Toughens Stance on Illegal IPTV: New Law Targets Users and Operators
Swedish authorities are cracking down on illegal IPTV services. A new law, set to come into force on 1 July 2026, will make it an offence for consumers to use such services. It also introduces tougher penalties for pirate service operators, including up to six years' imprisonment.
The proposed legislation aims to tackle the widespread use of illegal IPTV services in Sweden. Over 700,000 households, around 15% of the population, are currently using these services, resulting in an annual revenue loss of SEK 1-1.5 billion for broadcasters and rights holders.
To combat this, the government plans to impose fines on private individuals caught streaming unlicensed content. They also intend to employ technical measures such as live blocking of illegal streams, domain blocking, and removal of pirate services from search results. This follows a recent case where an individual was ordered to pay SEK 2.7 million in damages for operating an unlicensed IPTV service, and another faces trial for selling subscriptions worth SEK 9 million.
While specific numbers for illegal IPTV usage in Norway, Finland, and Denmark are not available, the proposed Swedish law reflects a broader European trend in combating IPTV piracy. The legislation, if passed, will significantly impact both consumers and operators of illegal IPTV services in Sweden.
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