Experts on the Cost of 'Free' Films: Real Risks Identified

The problem of piracy, particularly concerning audiovisual content, continues to be a pressing issue in Lithuania. According to a study by the Lithuanian Radio and Television Commission (LRTK), an average of 92,000 unique users attempted to access blocked websites illegally hosting content each month in 2025. While this number is decreasing annually, it remains substantial, with films, series, and broadcasts constituting the largest portion of blocked sites.

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Films, series, broadcasts – one can say that the piracy of audiovisual content accounts for the largest share of LRTK's blocked websites.

Lina Bandzinė, head of private clients at Telia, noted that despite a consistent growth in legal platform user bases in the Baltic states, illegal content consumption remains high, especially for TV content, films, and sports broadcasts. She identified two primary reasons for this trend: first, a segment of the population still does not perceive TV and film content as a product that naturally warrants payment. Second, the market is fragmented, often requiring users to subscribe to multiple platforms to access desired content, which is perceived as both inconvenient and expensive.

Bandzinė also pointed out that some international platforms lack sufficient localization for older audiences, with a deficit of Lithuanian subtitles or dubbing. Ironically, illegal platforms often present a user-friendly interface and modern design, leading some users to unknowingly consume pirated content, sometimes even paying a monthly fee. The demand for previously available Russian channels, now inaccessible legally in Lithuania, also contributes to the use of illegal sources.

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One reason is that some people still do not fully understand television or film content as a product that is natural to pay for. On the other hand, the market itself is quite fragmented – to legally access all the desired content, you often have to subscribe to several platforms at once. For some users, this seems both inconvenient and expensive.

However, there are signs of increasing user awareness regarding the consequences of illegal platforms. Users are increasingly encountering issues like broken links, aggressive advertising, technical glitches, and blocked addresses. Moreover, there is a growing understanding that pirated content carries not only copyright infringement risks but also significant cybersecurity threats. Darius Povilaitis, Telia's head of cybersecurity, warned that beyond poor video quality or broken links, users face real dangers, including viruses, data theft, ransomware, and social engineering tactics employed through pop-ups and misleading advertisements.

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One part of it is technical attacks – viruses, data theft, encrypted files with ransom demands, the other is social engineering, when a person is manipulated through pop-up windows, false warnings, or misleading advertising.