In recent months, Greek authorities have ramped up anti-piracy efforts, particularly against IPTV piracy. But their efforts are not just aimed at illegal IPTV operators; they are also targeting end users.
The increased enforcement stems from Greece’s new anti-piracy framework, which now allows authorities to pursue viewers of pirated content. As a result, illegal IPTV users are facing stricter enforcement measures, including fines and potential jail terms.
Illegal IPTV sellers and end users targeted
In many jurisdictions, illegal IPTV users are rarely targeted by anti-piracy enforcement agencies; the organizations are often primarily concerned with shutting down piracy networks.
However, Greece is flipping the script by going after illegal IPTV operators and users simultaneously.
On November 19, 2025, Greek authorities conducted a raid in Santorini, arresting an IPTV reseller for operating a piracy network. The individual reportedly sold illegal IPTV streams at low prices (€50 for 3 months and €100 for 6 months).
Following the raid, authorities also identified 68 individuals who had purchased illegal IPTV streams, and their details were forwarded to prosecutors for action.
The recent raid is not the first time IPTV end users have been targeted in Greece. In September 2025, authorities raided a café in Sparta, this time targeting the café owner, who was charged with IPTV privacy offences.
Hefty fines and potential jail time await illegal IPTV users
The recent anti-piracy enforcement measures are based on Greece’s new anti-piracy framework, passed in February 2025. The framework has expanded the liability of digital piracy, making passive viewing of illegal content a criminal offence with stiff sanctions.
Under the law, a private individual who accesses or uses pirated content is fined €750, with the fine doubling to €1,500 for repeat offenders. Likewise, businesses that publicly screen illegal content are liable to a fine of €1,500 and €3,000 for repeat offenders.
The liability of piracy network operators has also been expanded, with individuals who commercially exploit illegal content, such as IPTV resellers, now subject to a fine of €5,000. For repeat offenders, the fine doubles to €10,000.
While Greece’s new anti-piracy framework does not mention jail terms, there have been some cases of people receiving custodial sentences for illegal IPTV content.
In September 2024, a Greek court sentenced an IPTV reseller to eight years in prison and a fine of €17,000. Some customers who had subscribed to the illegal IPTV service were also arrested after authorities identified them.
In another case, an IPTV user was sentenced to 5 months in prison for subscribing to an illegal pay-TV service. It was a landmark ruling in which a user of pirated content received a jail term.
These cases involving jail terms occurred before the new anti-piracy framework went into effect. Therefore, there are likely to be more such sentences in the future, with potentially harsher sentences.
Enhanced tools for anti-piracy enforcement agencies
Besides increasing the liability of illegal IPTV users, Greece’s new anti-piracy framework has also empowered law enforcement agencies, enhancing their ability to combat digital piracy.
One provision of the new anti-piracy laws allows authorities to obtain data from Internet Service Providers (ISPs). They can then correlate IP addresses with Tax Identification Numbers to identify users of pirated content.
The law also introduces a “dynamic blocking” measure, under which pirated content websites can be blocked within 30 minutes of the discovery of illegal content or copyright violations.
Furthermore, the law allows the blocking measures to be reactivated when a website changes its IP address or domain name.
The new anti-piracy framework has also promoted co-operation between anti-piracy enforcement agencies.
For example, the Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission (EETT) and the Committee for the Notification of Online Copyright have been granted powers to initiate dynamic blocking measures.
On the other hand, organizations such as the Independent Authority for Public Revenue, the General Directorate of the Financial and Economic Crime Unit, and the police have been granted powers to implement the law and enforce sanctions.
Lastly, the new anti-piracy law has expanded digital piracy liability to intermediaries, including content distribution networks, ISPs, and hosting services. The new provisions require these intermediaries to implement dynamic blocking measures for illegal content immediately.
Additionally, rightsholders can enforce their rights against intermediaries that distribute illegal content.
End users are facing increased anti-piracy enforcement
The aggressive measures against illegal IPTV users in Greece constitute a significant development in the fight against digital piracy.
In the past, end users of piracy often escaped unscathed, only to move to other illegal services. However, under the new Greek laws, users will face stiff penalties that could deter others.
Greece is not alone in targeting end users of pirated content.
In May 2025, Italy fined 2,200 illegal IPTV subscribers as part of a massive crackdown on digital piracy. The fines followed a new framework that allows authorities to issue automated fines to illegal IPTV users.
But, while some people view the move to target IPTV viewers as positive, critics argue that it is not effective in the long term. Instead, measures like affordable streaming services and prosocial messages could be more effective at curbing piracy.