Feds Seize Popular Streaming Site Used By Virginians
Federal authorities took down a major streaming website that had become a go-to for sports fans across Virginia and beyond. The site, which had around 15 million visitors every month, suddenly went offline, leaving users scrambling for answers.
Feds Seize Popular Streaming Website Used by North Carolinians
Instead of the usual lineup of live sports streams, visitors were met with a stern message from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI): “This domain name has been seized by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) pursuant to a warrant issued by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.” The notice warned that unauthorized streaming of copyrighted content could result in criminal prosecution.
The site, known as Streameast, was popular for its extensive coverage of American sports, attracting over 15 million monthly visitors before it was abruptly taken offline.
The takedown affected multiple domains associated with the site, including several backup addresses that users had relied on when primary links were blocked.
Read More: Facebook Allegedly Allowed Netflix To Access Your Direct Messages
Will Streamest Continue To Operate?
However, the site’s operators weren’t ready to throw in the towel. In a defiant message on their Discord channel, they announced that the site would continue operating through a network of alternative domains. They activated several new addresses almost immediately, with promises of more to come.
“As the only free streaming site that truly values user experience and quality, it was no coincidence that this happened to us,” wrote the Streameast admin. They pledged to keep fighting until affordable sports streaming is available for everyone, activating new domains like streameast.co and others to ensure uninterrupted access.
What Will Come Of Streameast?
The timing of this crackdown is still a mystery, though it appears to be part of a larger effort by U.S. law enforcement to disrupt illegal streaming during major sports events. With the site’s determination to stay online, this likely won’t be the last we hear of this battle between federal authorities and the streaming site’s operators.
LOOK: 8 TV Shows You Totally Forgot Existed
Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz