BeStreamWise: A Look Into This New IPTV Anti-Piracy Campaign

By iptv.legal , in News , at October 3, 2023

A new IPTV anti-piracy campaign called “BeStreamWise” is claiming that illegal streams let criminals in.

In an age dominated by IPTV services, both legal and illegal, a new awareness campaign has emerged.

Named BeStreamWise, its rallying cry, “Illegal Streams Let Criminals In”, is aimed at deterring the use of pirated IPTV services in the UK.

And while its launch may not have been accompanied by the fanfare one might expect, the campaign’s unique tactics and heavyweight backers certainly deserve a closer look.

Behind the BeStreamWise Campaign

Heavyweights in the UK’s media landscape, including Sky, Premier League, FACT, ITV, CrimeStoppers, and the UK Intellectual Property Office, are leading this new awareness campaign.

But there’s an oddity: its silent rollout. Without press releases or significant media engagement, the campaign’s launch feels peculiarly quiet for something of its stature.

However, this doesn’t mean it hasn’t gained traction. A 15-second video from BeStreamWise has already garnered over 484,000 views on YouTube, suggesting their strategy might be more focused on direct online engagement.

The MalStreams Experiment

As part of the campaign, BeStreamWise introduced an experiment that demonstrates how easily individuals can be lured into too-good-to-be-true offers.

Under the alias ‘MalStreams’, social engineering expert Jenny Radcliffe, took on the role of a salesperson offering free lifetime streaming subscriptions.

The catch? This was all set up in a public place – London’s Paddington Station.

The underlying assumption of the campaign was that the public setting, the renowned location, and the absence of an obvious illegal setup would dispel any suspicions.

And it worked – several individuals handed over their personal details, only to be met with a hacker simulation and a stark warning about the dangers of illegal streaming.

The Threats Highlighted by BeStreamWise

The BeStreamWise portal focuses on four main threats related to illegal streaming:

Viruses and Malware: By accessing illegal streams, there’s a risk of malicious software that compromises personal data.
ID Theft, Scams, Fraud: Engaging with unauthorized sources can lead to financial and identity risks.
Inappropriate Content: Illicit sources can expose younger users to inappropriate content due to the lack of parental controls.
Funding Criminality: Supporting illegal streams can inadvertently support other illicit activities and criminal networks.

Who’s Driving BeStreamWise?

Several big names are aligned with BeStreamWise, including Sky, Premier League, ITV, and the British Association for Screen Entertainment (BASE).

BASE in particular has connections with major players like Universal, Disney, Warner Brothers, and more.

But it’s Sky that stands out prominently, with the BeStreamWise website even linking to Sky’s terms and conditions.

This involvement is further solidified as Sky UK Limited is listed as the trademark applicant for BeStreamWise.

BeStreamWise Critiques and Controversies

Despite its noble aim, BeStreamWise faces criticism on certain fronts. The campaign cites various studies about the risks of illegal streaming.

However, these studies aren’t publicly available, leading to skepticism. Without open access to the methodology and full findings of these studies, questions arise about the veracity of the claims.

Additionally, in a twist of irony, BeStreamWise has found itself on a DNS blocklist following allegations of spreading misinformation, suggesting the site might be “dirtying” the internet.

Conclusion

While the threats of illegal streaming are real, campaigns like BeStreamWise must ensure transparency and accuracy in their messaging.

As consumers, it’s crucial to critically evaluate campaigns and the data they present.

For more information on this story, refer to the video below and the report from TorrentFreak.

Legal IPTV Streaming Options

IPTV Wire can’t determine whether unverified IPTV services, apps, websites, or add-ons hold the proper licensing.

If and when an IPTV service is deemed illegal, we notify our users immediately and update reports on our website like this one to reflect that information.

In conclusion, the end-user is responsible for all content accessed through free IPTV apps and paid services.

See our detailed guide below for more information on the legality of IPTV and everything you need to know before streaming.

Is IPTV Legal? Read This

For 100% verified and legal IPTV providers, see the options listed below: