International campaign warns about the risks of illegal football streaming in Vietnam

Mr. Kevin Plumb, Chief Legal Advisor for the Premier League, stated that although illegal football viewing may seem harmless, it carries risks of financial loss and personal data breaches. Therefore, the Premier League is collaborating with authorities in multiple countries, including Vietnam, to combat unauthorized streaming sources.

Accordingly, the international campaign “Boot Out Piracy” launched by the Premier League in partnership with K+ is underway to alert Vietnamese fans about cybersecurity risks and copyright infringements associated with watching football through illegal channels.

This year’s “Boot Out Piracy” campaign is active in six countries: Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Hong Kong (China), and Thailand, involving well-known players such as Martin Odegaard (Arsenal), Amad Diallo (Manchester United), Raúl Jimenez (Fulham), Dan Burn (Newcastle United), and Matty Cash (Aston Villa).

According to organizers, cybercriminals exploit illegal streaming platforms to install malware, steal personal data, or conduct online scams. Many infringing websites also contain gambling ads, adult content, or malicious software, severely impacting users.

A study by Professor Paul Watters, an international cybersecurity expert, revealed that nearly 72% of illegal streaming sites contain malware or phishing schemes; 95% of ads on these sites are harmful, and the risk of cyberattacks is almost ten times higher than when using legitimate platforms.

Statistics from the Premier League show that over 7,000 infringing domains have been blocked in Vietnam over the past two seasons, helping prevent millions of illegal accesses. In 2024, the Hanoi People’s Court sentenced the BestBuy IPTV case, a system illegally broadcasting more than 10,000 international TV channels, marking progress in addressing online copyright violations in Vietnam.

Nevertheless, illegal streaming sites continuously change domains, formats, and servers, complicating enforcement efforts. Cybersecurity experts emphasize that effective prevention requires enhanced cooperation among regulatory agencies, internet service providers, and users to identify, report, and address illegal streaming sources.

Therefore, the Premier League and K+ advise fans to watch matches only through official broadcasting channels to ensure personal information security and contribute to building a civilized sports viewing environment that respects copyright.