Confusion over IPTV service takedown as illegal website ‘is still streaming’

Confusion has come about after a massive IPTV service was taken offline - only for it to seemingly reappear under a new name.

Just this week, a fresh warning has been issued over using illegal streaming services like IPTV websites and apps, which offer premium TV shows, films, and live events for free or massively reduced costs - with money pocketed by organised criminals offering the illicit links.

Using Facebook and WhatsApp, authorities in the United Kingdom were able to take down an IPTV network that was estimated to have cost copyright holders a staggering half a million pounds in lost revenue, while pocketing more than £130,000 from discounted subscription fees to the IPTV service.

It's the latest in a very recent, and aggressive, approach by authorities who are taking a more no-nonsense stance when it comes to people not paying to watch content from the likes of Netflix, Sky Sports, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video.

Now, another IPTV service has been taken offline that millions had been watching the likes of the BBC, Sky Sports ITV and RTL across an offering of 125 TV channels.

IPTV is often used to illegally access copyrighted films, shows, and premium live TV (Getty Stock Images)

Called TVMucho and later TeeVeeing, eight people were arrested during a crackdown on those running the IPTV service from a location in Spain.

In a statement, Spain’s Ministry of the Interior said last week that the service made a staggering €5.3 million (£4.15 million) in profits from the service, with the servers behind the illegal service dismantled by Spanish officials.

"The complex computer and banking investigation carried out, together with several police investigation techniques, allowed the specialists of the Central Cybercrime Unit to prove that the websites investigated were registered, controlled and operated from several companies directed by the main suspect, a citizen of Dutch origin,” the statement said.

“This man allegedly led a business and criminal network, made up of citizens living mainly in Gran Canaria, which appeared to be a legitimate business structure with which he managed to earn more than 5,300,000 euros."

Netflix content is often pirated for IPTV services (Phil Barker/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

Karyn Temple, Senior Executive Vice President and Global General Counsel for the Motion Picture Association (MPA), said: "We commend the Spanish National Police for protecting the intellectual property rights of dozens of ACE members through this successful raid. The operation reinforces the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment's (ACE) commitment to partnering with regional authorities in identifying and confronting digital copyright infringement. We look forward to continuing our joint mission to protect the creative economy in Spain and beyond."

Bank accounts with €80,000 (£62,600) were also seized by officials.

IPTV showing premium content for free or for a discounted fee is illegal (Getty Stock Images)

But as reported by TorrentFreak, the idea that TVMucho and TeeVeeing have disappeared has confused some given you can still download the TeeVeeing app from the Apple's App Store and Google Play. TorrentFreak also reported that it was able to access the TVMucho and TeeVeeing websites with ease.

"Quite obviously [TeeVeeing] is still online and as a screenshot sent to us independently confirms, a live event that was taking place in the UK on Friday afternoon was being shown live, in browser, no complications," it writes.

LADbible approached ACE for comment on the service still being accessible.