Can you believe that it has been two decades since mainstream piracy first came onto the scene? Yep. Back then most file-sharers didn’t realize just how exposed they were every time they shared or downloaded content online. However, the YTS lawsuits proved once and for all that online privacy is dead.
No Anonymous Internet
It all started back in 2003 when the first RIAA lawsuits happened. They were soon followed by an MPAA campaign which further cemented the idea that the Internet is not a “safe space” by any stretch of the imagination. If you’re sharing illegal content then you’re in big trouble.
Downloading movies illegally can get you in serious trouble. This is because everything you do online is clearly visible to anyone who cares to take a look at your online history.
According to the MPAA, the best way to avoid a lawsuit is to not share or download copyrighted content in the first place. But, do you think file-sharers listened? Of course not. During the 2006/2007 VPN boom, most people took it for granted that this now meant that they could keep their online activity completely anonymous.
Again, WRONG!
YTS Lawsuits - Torrenting without Protection
Unprotected torrenting was and still is wildly unsafe because public torrents can be monitored by anyone, including the rightful owner of the content that’s being shared illegally. Third-party hosting services didn’t help either as they caused file-sharers to fall into yet another trap of false security.
Nowadays, people use their Kodi boxes and streaming apps thinking that their activity is completely safe and anonymous. But, a look at the YTS lawsuits again reminds us that this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Streaming apps and torrenting providers are all too happy to share confidential user information. This is if it keeps them from serving time or paying a fine. The YTS lawsuits show that once placed under a certain amount of pressure a torrent site owner will reveal any and all information that the prosecutors ask for.
This might seem far-fetched for many people who are sitting at home enjoying their illegal content. But it can all become too real when they ask you to pay a massive fine for damages.
The Effect of Lawsuits
The pressure of the YTS lawsuits mounted once they revealed the identity of the site owner. The same thing happened with CotoMovies and we all know how that played out. What this shows us is that any torrent or streaming platform owner can be pressured into revealing customer information and any other incriminating data if it means saving their own skin.
Keep in mind that most streaming platforms maintain a database of their users’ information including browsing and streaming history. They know that they can use this data as leverage when things go sour. Even websites that claim to offer maximum security and anonymity are doing nothing more than posturing. Most of them admit to keeping data logs for up to a year. This includes streaming and download information.
Online Safety
Basically, if you’re expecting a pirate site or torrenting site to keep your personal information safe then you’ve got another thing coming.
Unfortunately, most people are still complacent when it comes to dealing with torrenting sites and they take it for granted that they can use these platforms without a VPN and not expect any repercussions when a lawsuit is filed against them.
The worst part is that most people still use their real names, email addresses and even their personal financial accounts. They do this even when browsing clearly questionable sites with little to no security measures or assurances. The least you can do is use a VPN such as IPVanish, but for some that is not even a consideration.
For instance, a Reddit user recently shared that he was tracked down by a copyright troll because of the movies he’d shared online. Now that Redditor has to pay $50,000 to clear a lawsuit of that magnitude.
Conclusion
The advice contained in the ‘Click but Can’t Hide” campaign which the MPAA launched over a decade ago still rings true. There is no real anonymity on the Internet. And security is of utmost importance. If anything, it’s important to take heed from cases such as the YTS lawsuits. You should understand that it’s the small gaps in security that could cost you the most.
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