Sky has secured a High Court order compelling Revolut Bank UAB to disclose the names and addresses of 304 subscribers and 10 resellers involved in illegal streaming. The ruling by Justice Brian Cregan in the Irish High Court follows a civil action by Sky against the banking app, which was used to pay resellers of pirated content.
Sky's representative, Theo Donnelly, stated that the information would be used to pursue legal action against resellers and some users. The order was granted under a Norwich Pharmacal mechanism, which allows data to be obtained from individuals inadvertently involved in wrongdoing. Revolut's counsel, John Freeman, confirmed the bank's neutrality on the application.
The move stems from a civil prosecution against David Dunbar of Wexford, who was ordered to pay Sky €480,000 (£415,000) in damages and €100,000 (£86,000) in costs for operating an illegal streaming service. Dunbar also received a €30,000 (£26,000) fine for contempt after breaching court orders to preserve data. The court found that 12 resellers and 304 users had transferred money to Dunbar via Revolut, prompting Sky to seek further details.
Proceedings have already been initiated against two of the 12 resellers. The data on the 304 users is to be provided to Sky on an encrypted spreadsheet within 28 days. The use of 'dodgy boxes' and illegal Fire Stick devices is considered a serious crime, and authorities, including the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT), are intensifying crackdowns.
Detective Sergeant Adam Dagnall of Merseyside Police's Cybercrime Unit warned that illegal streaming often funds organised crime and exposes users to malware risks. He urged the public to avoid such devices, even as gifts, due to potential security threats.
