Streaming Service Real-Debrid Implements Strict Anti-Piracy Measures

Real-Debrid, a widely used streaming and download service, is introducing significant anti-piracy measures in response to a formal notice from the French Federation of Film Distributors (FNEF). The FNEF has previously taken action against several service providers accused of facilitating piracy.

The service provides users with access to unlimited downloads from various file hosting services and torrent websites. Real-Debrid acts as an intermediary for accessing content from file hosters and maintains a cache of previously downloaded data, allowing for direct streaming of content from torrent sites without full downloads. This functionality has made the service attractive to individuals engaging in piracy.

Real-Debrid has been informing users of the upcoming changes on X (formerly Twitter) since last week. The service had previously implemented a directive to remove content based on complaints from rights holders, in accordance with the DMCA. However, these measures were deemed insufficient by the French film distributors.

To comply with the FNEF's demands, Real-Debrid will now block "audiovisual files" hosted on certain "cyberlockers" that appear on the U.S. Trade Representative's (USTR) blacklist or the European "Counterfeit and Piracy Watch List." The service will also filter file names and manually address any false positives. Furthermore, torrent hashes from private trackers, which have been cited in Paris court cases, will be blocked.

Real-Debrid also plans to clear its caches of all files meeting these criteria. The API endpoint /instantAvaibility will be removed, and popular media applications like Kodi and Stremio will be blocked if they can be identified. These steps aim to meet the FNEF's requirements and curb the service's use for illegal content distribution.