Brazil Repurposes Seized Pirate Streaming Boxes for Schools and Hospitals

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https://torrentfreak.com/brazil-repurposes-seized-pirate-streaming-boxes-for-schools-and-hospitals-220822/

In recent years Brazil has carried out several high-profile anti-piracy operations. Among other things, this resulted in the seizure of 1.5 million illegal streaming devices. Some of these devices were repurposed and donated to schools. In addition, former pirate streaming boxes have found their way into hospitals and police cars too.

Over the past three years, Brazil has worked hard to combat online piracy from various angles. Spearheaded by ANCINE, the National Film Agency that falls under Brazil’s Ministry of Culture, “Operation 404” campaigns have led to numerous takedowns and arrests. Streaming sites and services have been a focal point in this battle. Among other things, ANCINE helped to train inspection agents of the Federal Revenue Service and the Federal Highway Police to spot these devices so they can be seized or blocked from entering the county. These efforts have been rather successful. In a recent update, ANCINE reports that 1.5 million illegal streaming devices were seized between 2020–2021. Together, these piracy boxes have an estimated value of USD 150 million.

A lot of these devices were destroyed, with the resulting waste ‘sustainably’ disposed of. However, the responsible authorities are also looking for more creative ways to reuse these pirate streaming boxes. ANCINE reports that, with help from researchers, 800 seized streaming devices were repurposed as basic computers. This hardware was then donated to local schools. “In an unprecedented partnership between the Federal Revenue Service and universities in the State of Minas Gerais, research teams are looking for ways to remove the offending features and reuse the equipment.

Brazil Repurposes Seized Pirate Streaming Boxes for Schools and Hospitals * TorrentFreak

Brazil has seized 1.5 million illegal streaming devices as part of an anti-piracy program, with some being repurposed and donated to schools.

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