New weapon against DStv piracy
The article reports that a new legal and technical strategy is emerging to combat DStv piracy, led by Canal+ (owner of MultiChoice).
A key development is a French court ruling that allows Canal+ to force major tech companies such as Google, Cloudflare, and Cisco to block access to illegal streaming services not only through traditional ISP blocking but also via alternative DNS providers.
This is significant because pirate services often bypass standard blocks by instructing users to switch DNS settings on devices like smart TVs. The ruling effectively targets this loophole, making piracy harder to access.
The court confirmed that blocking via DNS and similar infrastructure is technically feasible and proportionate, marking a major shift in enforcement by placing responsibility on a broader range of internet intermediaries.
Canal+ says the decision aligns with its broader strategy to require all technical players including DNS, VPN, CDN, and proxy providers to help prevent illegal streaming, especially for high value live sports content.
In South Africa, MultiChoice is already intensifying enforcement through raids and technical interventions, including shutting down hundreds of pirate accounts and targeting resellers, though similar DNS blocking measures have not yet been implemented locally.
Overall, the article highlights a shift toward infrastructure level enforcement, aiming to close common piracy workarounds and significantly disrupt illegal streaming ecosystems.
