Content piracy remains widespread in South Africa, largely due to consumers not perceiving it as a crime and the ease with which pirates can bypass cybersecurity measures. This perspective is shared by Frikkie Jonker, director of broadcast cybersecurity and anti-piracy at Irdeto, a global leader in digital rights management and cybersecurity, owned by MultiChoice.
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Jonker explains that content piracy involves the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials such as films and music. He highlights that Africa’s low barriers to entry make the continent particularly attractive to criminals looking for easy targets. “Pirates in Africa may achieve a success rate of around 70% in bypassing cybersecurity measures, which is relatively high compared to other regions,” Jonker notes. This, combined with Africa’s large population, makes content piracy an appealing venture for criminals.
On the supply side, the ease of piracy attracts many to the illegal distribution of content. On the demand side, Jonker emphasizes the need for a shift in public perception to view content piracy as a serious crime. He advocates for an industry-wide campaign to change attitudes, suggesting that the creative industry must unite to address the issue, as seen in initiatives like Partners Against Piracy, a pan-African coalition.
Government policy also plays a crucial role in shaping attitudes towards piracy. If governments do not prioritize combating piracy, it can lead to broader consequences, including deterring foreign content providers like Netflix or Amazon from entering the market due to concerns about inadequate protection for their intellectual property.
Despite the challenges, Jonker and his team are leveraging technological advancements to track and prosecute content pirates more effectively. “Piracy operations often involve multiple levels, including global and regional headquarters and local resellers,” Jonker explains. Advances in technology now enable content owners and law enforcement to identify and take action against pirates at every level of these operations, as well as those consuming pirated content.
Jonker argues that financial difficulties no longer justify piracy, noting that the crime threatens the livelihoods of many in the creative industry, including creators, producers, and rightsholders, as well as the thousands of jobs that this sector supports across Africa.
Recently, MultiChoice, in collaboration with police detectives, conducted a successful raid in Gauteng, resulting in the arrest of a suspect, Jurgen Johannes Potgieter, who is accused of facilitating piracy by selling login credentials and pirate streaming devices. The suspect allegedly violated the Cybercrime Act by providing illegal access to premium content and faces charges of money laundering. This raid is part of a series of successful actions in Johannesburg and Cape Town aimed at dismantling illegal operations undermining the creative industry.
Jonker praised the police for their professionalism, which was crucial to the raid’s success. He mentioned that the company is intensifying its anti-piracy efforts, with more raids planned. Alongside Irdeto’s efforts, Partners Against Piracy works with local governments to combat intellectual property infringement. This Africa-wide initiative involves multiple stakeholders, including the Serious Commercial Crime Unit of the Hawks, South African Police Services, and Cybercrime Units in various provinces.
