Blow to Piracy: Spain’s Guardia Civil Shuts Down the Largest Illegal Streaming Channel
In a significant crackdown on digital piracy, Spain’s Guardia Civil has dismantled “Cristal Azul,” the nation’s largest illegal streaming channel. This operation, dubbed “Operation Blue Corsair,” was initiated following a joint complaint by LaLiga and Movistar. The channel, an add-on for the Kodi media player, allowed over 78,000 users to access Primera and Segunda División matches without authorization, resulting in financial losses exceeding €42 million for the rights holders. Authorities identified a 37-year-old man as the alleged operator of the channel; he now faces charges related to market and consumer offenses. The investigation also led to the removal of distribution channels and the code supporting these illegal broadcasts. This action underscores the commitment to protecting intellectual property rights and serves as a warning to those involved in digital piracy.
