The Cinemagoal app, notorious for illegally redistributing content from platforms like Netflix and Disney+, has been shut down by Italian authorities. The operation was led by the Guardia di Finanza, which executed over 100 search and seizure warrants throughout Italy, targeting the app’s infrastructure.
This app functioned continuously, illegally broadcasting media by using access codes from legitimate subscriptions linked to fraudulent accounts. Authorities reported that subscriptions for Cinemagoal were priced between 40 to 130 euros annually, which translates to approximately $46 to $151. Payments were often made through difficult-to-trace methods, including cryptocurrency and fake bank accounts.
Initial estimates by the Guardia di Finanza indicated that Cinemagoal caused financial damages of around 300 million euros, equivalent to about $350 million. The agency announced plans to fine the first 1,000 subscribers, with penalties ranging from 154 to 5,000 euros, or $179 to $5,800. While it is uncertain if the app has been permanently disabled, authorities collaborated with other European agencies to confiscate servers containing crucial decryption information and the app’s source code.