Photo Credit: Getty Images
In a landmark operation, the Vietnamese government, in collaboration with the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), has dismantled what is being described as the world’s largest pirate streaming network. The crackdown led to the shutdown of the notorious Fmovies site and its associated domains, which collectively garnered over 6.7 billion visits between January 2023 and June 2024. This takedown represents a significant victory in the ongoing battle against digital piracy.
Fmovies and its sister sites, including Bflixz, Flixtorz, Movies7, Myflixer, and Aniwave, formed a massive piracy syndicate that pulled in nearly 374 million monthly visits at its peak. The syndicate also operated Vidsrc.to, a video-hosting service that supported hundreds of other illegal streaming sites, all of which have now been taken offline.
This operation is not only a win for the global entertainment industry but also a crucial step forward for Vietnam’s own film industry. The chairwoman of the Vietnam Film Development Association (VFDA), Ngo Phuong Lan, emphasized that this action will help the country’s movie sector grow sustainably by protecting intellectual property rights. This, she noted, is key to integrating Vietnam into the global film market and ensuring the success of its transition from a state-subsidized to a privately driven model.
Charles Rivkin, Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association and Chairman of ACE, hailed the takedown as a “stunning victory” for the creative community worldwide. Rivkin further highlighted the importance of this achievement in the broader context of fighting piracy at its roots, rather than merely addressing its symptoms. He expressed optimism about ongoing collaborations with Vietnamese authorities and U.S. agencies to bring the individuals responsible for this extensive operation to justice.
Despite this significant success, piracy remains a global issue. According to recent data, illegal streaming continues to siphon off billions from the entertainment industry, with the U.S. and India being major sources of traffic to these sites. The ACE and its partners are pushing for stronger legislation worldwide, including in the U.S., to better combat this persistent threat.
This crackdown in Vietnam serves as a powerful reminder of the need for international cooperation in the fight against piracy, highlighting the progress that can be made when governments and industry leaders work together.
