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The popularity of streaming platforms has also caused the piracy business to change with the times. DVD and VCD shops in shopping malls and night markets are now turning into illegal streaming platforms. Many may not realize that the popular platforms LokLok, GIMY and Flujo TV are pirated content platforms that are still operating due to loopholes in the law.
LokLok, GIMY and Flujo TV are labeled as export pirated streaming platforms because although based in China, they are not offered to local users. Instead, they are offered specifically to overseas users. LokLok, for example, is very popular in Malaysia as it shamelessly offers content from Netflix, HBO. Prime and various other studios' content illegally.
Therefore, the International Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA) which is a member of the MPA, RIAA and ESA has urged the US trade representative to put pressure on China through the World Trade Organization (WTO).
These pirated streaming services are still operating in China because they do not violate the country's laws, which only prohibit pirated content from being offered to citizens. All three platforms use geoblocking technology and as long as they are only offered in Southeast Asia and Latin America, they can operate without being taken into account by the authorities.
Over the past five years, piracy has increased again due to rising subscription costs. Where previously users only had to subscribe to Netflix, they now have to subscribe to Disney+ Hotstar, HBO Max, and Prime because the content is now exclusive to certain platforms only.