Online Reporter
Online Reporter
The growing fight against content piracy across Africa is designed to bring an end to the huge threat to livelihoods, to businesses and to growth in legitimate content creation.
Although many people disregard this threat and are prepared to make excuses for piracy, ignoring it could end with catastrophic results for the entire film and television community across Africa, with a direct impact on the millions of ordinary people who enjoy the content being created.
Many public and private sector organisations and individuals are leading the fight, trying to raise awareness of the problem and its consequences, while at the same time trying to persuade people that piracy is simply not okay.
Gerald Ngonyamo, head of corporate affairs and public relations of MultiChoice Zimbabwe, said it was important for leading broadcasting organisations like MultiChoice to be at the forefront of the fight and to keep content – and customers – safe.
“As a member of the pan-African Partners Against Piracy initiative, MultiChoice helps to lead the fight against content theft and content-related cybercrime,” he said.
“This means viewers can enjoy premium content from Africa’s leading storyteller securely, without compromising privacy or safety.”
He said that within Zimbabwe there were now criminal cases being brought before the courts, involving bringing pirates to book and being fined – and shut down- for their illegal activities.
Digital piracy is a growing issue across the world, not only in Africa. Last year, it was estimated that the value of losses caused by this underworld industry could reach US$125 billion by 2028, with 92 percent of demand being for films and television programming.
“As Africa’s leading provider of video content, MultiChoice has a major role to play in fighting piracy. Content theft affects the entire entertainment industry, leading to revenue losses that destroy content-sector jobs, hurt creativity and lead to less choice for viewers,” said Mr Ngonyamo.
Content pirates are also often part of organised-crime networks and they use their pirate platforms to commit financial fraud, steal identities or install malware on user devices. “MultiChoice has to take security seriously. We carry only legitimate, licensed, fully-paid content. We work with partners like the renowned cybersecurity firm Irdeto to ensure the integrity of our platforms and we protect customers’ information using state-of-the-art security features,” he said.
MultiChoice platforms use cutting-edge encryption to protect personal data and payment information, based on the highest global security standards to prevent unauthorised access and to protect user details.
AI technology is now able to scour the web and detect any content that is similar to copyrighted MultiChoice material. Automated tracing can then track down the perpetrators of content piracy, to get them to desist or even have them arrested.
MultiChoice has specialised anti-piracy teams working around the clock to detect and disrupt piracy networks.
“We collaborate with global industry leaders to identify pirated content and take immediate action. We issue take-down notices to sites carrying stolen content and we work with law enforcement agencies to protect our customers and ensure they have access to secure, premium entertainment,” said Mr Ngonyamo.
Subscriber payments are processed through trusted, industry-compliant and data-secure gateways like Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal. This ensures that financial information is never compromised and that full peace of mind if afforded to viewers.
Education is also key in the fight against piracy. The Pirates Against Piracy initiative helps consumers to identify and avoid pirated content and emphasises the importance of supporting the entertainment industry legally and ethically.
“By making responsible choices, consumers can help protect jobs, the creative industry and the future of quality entertainment,” said Mr Ngonyamo.
“We tell customers that they can help keep themselves safe from content piracy by always streaming content from authorised, licensed sources like DStv, Showmax and BoxOffice. Avoid sites that offer “free” versions of the latest shows or movies; they often come with hidden risks like malware and data theft.
“If it seems too good to be true, it is.”
Mr Ngonyamo said consumers should remember to regularly update their devices and apps, ensuring they always have the latest security patches and antivirus software.
“This will help protect them from cyberattacks and potential data breaches and keep them one step ahead of the content pirates.”
Consumers who come across suspicious websites or services offering unauthorised access to MultiChoice content should report this immediately.
“Working together, we can help reduce piracy, bring pirates to justice and keep the entertainment ecosystem safe,” he said.
“Be cautious of fake emails, messages or pop-ups that claim to offer free content. These phishing scams are often designed to steal personal and financial information.”
MultiChoice has committed itself to providing secure, high-quality entertainment in a safe, secure digital world in which entertainment is able to thrive.
More information on piracy can be sourced at https://www.multichoice.com/partners-against-piracy.php and piracy can be reported to [email protected].
Londile Moyo