Greek authorities have cracked down on an IPTV piracy operation on the island of Santorini, arresting a reseller and referring 68 end users for prosecution. According to TorrentFreak, the Cybercrime Prosecution Directorate launched a targeted operation on November 19, dismantling a network that sold illicit access to premium pay-TV via IPTV subscriptions. The raid, conducted on Santorini, one of the Cyclades islands, resulted in the arrest of a 48-year-old reseller, who appears to have been managing the sales and management of the service through an online platform known as a ‘panel.’ Customers were reportedly charged 50 euros for a three-month subscription or 100 euros for a six-month period, with remote and in-person support available as part of the service.
Local reports indicate that the impact of the raid was significant, with hundreds of users in hotels, cafes, and residences across Santorini and beyond suddenly losing access to their cheap TV streaming services. This widespread reliance on illegal streams underscores the extent to which such services have become integral to daily life in the area. The disruption has sparked discussions about the broader implications for both consumers and the legal landscape surrounding digital content distribution in Greece.
Earlier this year, Greece implemented a new legal framework to tackle online infringement, and reports of prosecutions are already emerging. In early September, a man from Sparta was reported to face prosecution and a fine of up to 6,000 euros for two IPTV piracy offenses. The suspect, reportedly a cafe owner, was targeted at his workplace on a Saturday, allegedly in front of customers. Local media reported that some customers believed that complaints about the cafe’s ‘unfair competition’ may have preceded the unexpected visit.
This case highlights the growing enforcement of intellectual property laws in Greece, as authorities strive to combat digital piracy and protect the legitimate interests of content providers. The operation on Santorini represents a significant step in this effort, demonstrating the government’s commitment to enforcing new legislation and holding both resellers and end users accountable for their involvement in illegal streaming activities.