Massive network of pirated streaming websites taken down

In a major blow to online piracy, a sprawling network of illegal streaming websites has been shut down following a coordinated effort by anti-piracy groups and law enforcement. The operation, spearheaded by the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), targeted the notorious Fmovies network and its affiliated sites, which had become a thorn in the side of entertainment industry giants.

Fmovies, which first popped up in 2016, had grown into what ACE dubbed “the largest pirate streaming operation in the world.” The network, which included popular sites like bflixz, flixtorz, and aniwave, had racked up a staggering 6.7 billion visits between January 2023 and June 2024. That’s a lot of people watching “Barbie” without shelling out for a ticket or rental.

The takedown wasn’t just about Fmovies, though. The operation also managed to knock out Vidsrc.to, a video hosting provider that was apparently run by the same crew. It’s like they were playing whack-a-mole, but the moles were all hanging out at the same underground party.

In a move that’s sure to send shivers down the spines of would-be pirates, two suspects were arrested by police in Hanoi, Vietnam, in connection with the Fmovies operation. According to The Hollywood Reporter, no charges have been filed yet, but you can bet those guys aren’t having a great week.

Charles Rivkin, the big cheese at both the Motion Picture Association (MPA) and ACE, was practically giddy about the takedown. He called it “a stunning victory for casts, crews, writers, directors, studios, and the creative community across the globe.” It’s like Christmas came early for Hollywood execs.

But let’s be real – this isn’t just about protecting the bottom line of mega-corporations. Piracy does have a real impact on the livelihoods of folks working in the entertainment industry, from struggling indie filmmakers to the person who makes sure Tom Cruise’s hair looks perfect for his next death-defying stunt.

Of course, the internet being the internet, pirates aren’t just going to pack up their eye patches and parrots. Subreddits dedicated to Fmovies and other piracy sites are already buzzing with users desperately searching for alternatives, as noted by THR.

While this takedown is undoubtedly a big win for the anti-piracy crowd, it’s worth noting that the reasons people turn to these sites go beyond just wanting free stuff. The fragmentation of streaming services, disappearing content, and ever-increasing subscription costs have all played a role in driving viewers to the darker corners of the internet.

As the dust settles on this latest skirmish in the ongoing piracy wars, one thing’s for sure – this won’t be the last we hear about illegal streaming sites. But for now, ACE and its allies are taking a victory lap, and somewhere in Hollywood, a studio exec is popping a very expensive bottle of champagne.