Despite the continuous efforts of YouTube and rights holders to combat piracy, users have always found ways to upload pirated content. Recently, however, an unusual pattern has emerged: channels that have been inactive for over 15 years, along with newer channels showing no signs of previous infringement, are now hosting the latest Hollywood movies. These uploads are generating tens of millions of views, with the true number likely being even higher.
One such channel was created on April 24, 2007, by a user named “haroldlky,” who uploaded three short engineering-themed videos totaling just 42 seconds. Over the next 17 years, these videos attracted fewer than 400 views. Whether “haroldlky” was satisfied with this or ever returned to YouTube is unknown, but if he checked his channel today, he would be surprised to find it turned into a hub for pirated movies.
Exploring the Surge in Pirated Content
In just under two weeks, these compromised channels have attracted nearly a million views with unauthorized uploads. While it’s challenging to identify all the affected channels, a few notable examples stand out. For instance, one channel, created on September 17, 2023, with 117,000 subscribers and only seven videos, has accumulated 7.4 million views in 10 days, primarily from pirated films. Another channel, which dates back to March 31, 2007, with just three videos and 6,100 subscribers, has seen a single pirated movie, “Fate of the Furious,” rack up 582,000 views in just one day.
It’s unclear how these channels were compromised or how their credentials were obtained. However, it’s highly improbable that a channel previously dedicated to content like math tutorials would suddenly pivot to uploading Hollywood blockbusters. This sudden change in content suggests that these channels have been hijacked for nefarious purposes.
How the Scheme Works
Recent updates suggest that the surge in pirated movies on YouTube may be the result of a sophisticated scheme designed to exploit the platform’s Content ID system. The process may work as follows:
- Obtain or create audio tracks that evade detection by Content ID.
- Illegally register these tracks with digital distribution services like DistroKid, CD Baby, or TuneCore, who remain unaware of the fraud.
- Acquire a popular movie expected to draw a large audience.
- Use software to attach the audio track to the end of the movie.
- Upload the modified video to YouTube.
- Wait for a content match on the music, which monetizes the entire video.
- Earn a small profit, or potentially nothing if the scam is uncovered by royalty collection agencies.
A Growing Concern
This wave of pirated movie uploads raises several questions about the effectiveness of YouTube’s anti-piracy measures. Despite the platform’s robust Content ID system, these uploads are somehow evading detection, particularly for newer movies that one would expect to be heavily monitored. The fact that these pirated movies are racking up millions of views without being flagged or reported is significant.
While there’s no clear indication of who is behind this, initial observations suggest a possible link to India, based on various factors, including user comments. However, the bigger concern is how these uploads have managed to bypass YouTube’s Content ID system, leading to such a large volume of views. Whether due to a glitch, missing fingerprints, or another loophole, the scale of this operation is unprecedented.
