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Federal agencies can still use your IP address to track you down. Watch Video: Netflix, Hulu, Disney+: Is streaming still cheaper than cable?Īnd using a VPN doesn't protect you. If you're caught illegally streaming videos online, you could face a fine of $750 or more, according to criminal defense attorney Matt Huppertz in Waukesha, Wisconsin. See the Ocean in Las Vegas: Fisker will unveil its electric SUV at CES 2020 in JanuaryĬybersecurity: How to secure your home surveillance cameras from getting hacked Copyright Office. There's some gray area with streaming illicit content, which is a misdemeanor – at best. Torrenting or downloading copyrighted material without permission is flat-out illegal and a much more serious crime, according to the U.S. But can watching bootlegged or pirated video on the internet get viewers into trouble, too?
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It's clear that federal agencies and big media companies are cracking down on those who run backdoor streaming rings. These illicit platforms were used by thousands of paid subscribers, officials said. Last week, two programmers plead guilty for contributing to a string of illegal streaming websites that offered more content than Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime. In today's movie-streaming landscape, consumers increasingly expect affordable content on-demand, which pushes many (knowingly or not) onto sketchy video entertainment platforms that may or may not be legal. Watch Video: Feds bust illegal streaming site with more content than Netflix, Hulu
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