IPOPHL cracks down on dangerous websites
Key takeaways:
- Filipinos using piracy sites are at high risk of cyber threats like identity theft and ransomware.
- The MPA study found that piracy site users are up to 33 times more likely to face cyber risks.
- IPOPHL is actively blocking dangerous piracy sites to protect consumers.
- Piracy is a serious offense in the Philippines with legal consequences.
- A national awareness campaign is needed to educate people about the risks of piracy.
A new study by the Motion Picture Association (MPA) warns that Filipinos using piracy sites face serious cyber threats, like identity theft and ransomware. The study found that these users are up to 33 times more likely to face cyber risks than those on legal streaming sites.
The MPA released the findings on November 13 during an anti-piracy symposium organized by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), GMA Network, Inc., and Globe Telecom.
Dr. Paul Watters, an honorary professor of security studies and criminology at Macquarie University, authored the study.
He emphasized the urgent need for action, saying, “Consumers today navigate an online environment fraught with hidden malware and exploitation, often without realizing the true danger they face.”
Piracy sites often host malicious software such as viruses, ransomware, and spyware. These threats can compromise personal information, damage computer systems, and even lead to financial loss.
To protect consumers, the study recommends blocking piracy sites and increasing funding for law enforcement to enhance digital forensics capabilities.
It also calls for a national awareness campaign about the risks associated with piracy.
In a related effort, IPOPHL has recently recommended blocking six specific piracy sites.
On October 29, the agency issued requests to internet service providers (ISPs) to disable access to SFlix sites (sflix.to, sflix.se, and sflix.is) and MyFlixer sites (myflixerz.to, myflixertv.to, and myflixer.today).
This action coincided with National Anti-Piracy Month in October, which aims to raise awareness about copyright infringement.
IPOPHL posted these requests on its website for five days starting October 24, giving website owners time to respond before sending them to internet providers.
These requests follow complaints from the MPA, whose members include Disney, Netflix, Paramount, and Warner Bros. Discovery.
The MPA claims the websites are streaming movies like “Shazam!”, “Raya and the Last Dragon,” and “Top Gun: Maverick” without permission, violating the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.
Piracy is a serious offense in the Philippines. Under the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 8293), individuals caught engaging in piracy can face hefty fines ranging from P50,000 to P1.5 million, and imprisonment of up to six years.
IPOPHL’s site-blocking initiative has become a key tool against digital piracy, said IPOPHL Director General Rowel Barba on November 13.
He noted that while the program just launched this year, they have already blocked nearly 20 sites with support from the National Telecommunications Commission and internet providers.
Barba added that a formal law would make these efforts stronger, saying, “A law will institutionalize our site-blocking regime to create more outcomes, unlock the full potential of our creative economy and protect our consumers from the alarming cyber threats of piracy sites. IPOPHL is still hopeful to see a site-blocking law passed soon.”Ⓒ
Business Bayani PH 
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