Asian authorities step up clampdown on use of illegal set-top boxes, operators

Small set-top boxes that allow viewers to access pirated shows, films and live football games have come under scrutiny and crackdowns in Asia.

Across the region, authorities and industry players have been raiding stores and studios and strengthening laws to bring errant sellers to justice. However, experts told This Week in Asia that these devices continue to be easily available online and piracy remains rife in the region.

These illegal streaming devices rely on the internet instead of traditional terrestrial, satellite signal and cable television formats and offer access to content, including channels illegally sourced from providers worldwide and video-on-demand shows. Operators often use complex technical infrastructure and tools for the devices to hide their content sources to evade enforcement.

In October 2022, the Singapore police conducted a raid on shops in Sim Lim Square and seized more than 2,500 sets of these set-top devices. More than 400 sets were found at Ge’s shops, local media reported. He was charged with infringing the copyright of companies, including Disney, Netflix and the Premier League, by selling devices that came installed with programmes that could access copyrighted shows and matches.

Under Singapore’s Copyright Act, infringement by making, dealing, importing, distributing or offering of devices or services to access works without the authority of copyright owners carries a fine of up to S$100,000, a jail term of up to five years, or both.