THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS - JUNE 24: A logo of Europol, European Union's law enforcement agency, is pictured at its headquarters building on June 24, 2020 in The Hague, Netherlands. (Photo by Yuriko Nakao/Getty Images)
(EPICSTORIAN) – In a major international crackdown, Europol successfully dismantled an extensive network of illegal sports streaming and pirated content providers during major events, including UEFA EURO 2024 and the Paris Olympics.
The operation, named “Operation Kratos,” targeted a sophisticated piracy network spanning 15 countries, including Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK.
Spain’s La Liga, a key partner in the investigation, announced the operation’s results, highlighting the scale of the effort to combat digital piracy.
Europol identified over 560 resellers of pirated content, including illegal streams of movies, TV series, sports events, and other copyrighted material. Law enforcement agencies detained 11 suspects and identified more than 100 individuals involved in the illegal activities.
Targeting Piracy linked to Global Sporting Events
“Operation Kratos was conducted from June to September 2024,” La Liga said in a statement. “This initiative brought together EU and non-EU law enforcement authorities, as well as EU agencies and private digital content companies.”
The operation’s timing coincided with high-profile events, maximizing its impact by targeting piracy during periods of peak demand.
The effort was coordinated under the leadership of Europol, with participating countries pooling their resources to track, monitor, and dismantle the network. The operation aimed to protect intellectual property rights and combat the illicit distribution of copyrighted materials.
Strategic International Cooperation
The operation showcased unprecedented cooperation among law enforcement agencies across Europe. By involving EU member states and private companies, Operation Kratos effectively disrupted the revenue streams of criminal enterprises profiting from illegal streaming.
A Europol spokesperson stated, “This is a significant step toward safeguarding the rights of content creators and ensuring fair access to digital content.”
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The investigation involved advanced technology and intelligence-sharing between agencies to identify the network’s key players and uncover their modus operandi, according to Euro news. Authorities also seized servers and equipment used to operate illegal streaming services, ensuring their permanent shutdown.
Industry Response
La Liga emphasized the importance of such operations in protecting the sports industry and intellectual property.
“Digital piracy undermines the efforts of content creators and affects the entire entertainment ecosystem,” a La Liga representative said. “Collaborative initiatives like Operation Kratos are vital to preserving the integrity of our industry.”
