Several ‘fake stream’ sites shut down in Brazil

IFPI, the organization that represents the recorded music industry worldwide, and its Brazilian national group, Pro-Música Brasil, have revealed a number of successful recent actions against streaming manipulation services operating in the country.

Streaming manipulation involves the creation of artificial ‘plays’ on digital music streaming services that do not represent genuine listening.

This latest action follows the news of 14 sites being forced to stop offering ‘fake stream’ services in Brazil in October last year.

In August 2020, five ‘fake stream’ sites were also forced to cease operation by court injunctions in Germany.

Already, more than 65 streaming manipulation services have been affected by the recent music industry actions in Brazil, including 10 sites that have shut down and 20 sites that have ceased to offer ‘fake stream’ services.

An additional 35 listings for music streaming manipulation services were removed from the online marketplace Mercado Livre.

The outcomes announced today result from ongoing collaboration bewtween IFPI, Brazil’sbrazil Association for the Protection of Phonographic Intellectual Rights (APDIF), Pro-Música Brasil and Cyber Gaeco, the cybercrime unit of the São Paulo Public Prosecutor’s Office.

“Streaming manipulation has no place in music; we continue to tackle it globally.”

Frances Moore, IFPI

Frances Moore, Chief Executive of IFPI, said: “Streaming manipulation has no place in music; we continue to tackle it globally.

“Pro-Música Brasil, APDIF and Cyber Gaeco have achieved a fantastic result, which supports the continued growth and development of Brazil’s thriving legitimate digital music market.”

“We would like to thank APDIF and Cyber Gaeco for their continued support and collaboration.”

Paulo Rosa, Pro-Música Brasil

Paulo Rosa, Director, Pro-Música Brasil, added: “We successfully closed fourteen streaming manipulation services in Brazil last year, based on criminal prosecution and cease and desist notices.

“Since then, we have been working hard with our industry partners to tackle other prominent sites offering streaming manipulation services.

“We would like to thank APDIF and Cyber Gaeco for their continued support and collaboration.”Music Business Worldwide