The United States has taken control of nearly 400 internet domains that, according to the Justice Department, were being used to provide unauthorized live streams of World Cup matches. Officials said the operation was designed to break up international networks that were profiting from the tournament's popularity.
DOJ statements said the domains were identified with help from FIFA and broadcast partners including NBC Universal and Warner Brothers. The domains in question were used to deliver copyright-protected content to users in the form of live streams of matches at the same time those games were being played and first broadcast, the department said.
Security and legal risks highlighted
Eric Weindorf, special agent in charge at Homeland Security Investigations, emphasized the dual harms posed by the illegal streams. "These streamers not only violate copyright laws but also expose viewers to potential threats - including malware attacks and unsecure connections that can compromise personal and financial data," he said in a statement released by authorities.
International scope of enforcement
In addition to domain seizures, servers and related infrastructure tied to the unauthorized streaming were targeted in Peru and Bulgaria, the Department of Justice said. The agency also reported further disruptions in Croatia, Romania, Poland and Colombia. The statement portrayed the action as part of a coordinated effort to disrupt the networks enabling the unlawful distribution of tournament broadcasts.
Event context
The World Cup tournament began on June 11 across the United States, Canada and Mexico, with matches scheduled in 16 cities across the three host nations through July 19. FIFA reported that attendance for matches has reached an all-time high. Separately, Nielsen data cited by authorities indicated that last week’s World Cup games ranked among the most-watched television programs, with the United States’ victory over Australia topping the list.
The Justice Department framed the enforcement as both a protection of copyright holders and a public-service measure aimed at reducing the security risks posed to viewers who access unauthorized streams. Authorities credited cooperation from governing bodies and broadcasters in identifying the domains and carrying out the disruptions.