Piracy in Malaysia is NO longer just about watching free movies or football matches, it has grown into a serious national issue that threatens the economy, jobs, and even the safety of Malaysians. This was the central message at the Boot Out Piracy launch, co-hosted by the Premier League and the British High Commission to Malaysia, where two independent studies were presented to highlight the growing dangers of digital piracy.

The findings were eye-opening. Both studies, one by cybersecurity expert Professor Paul Watters and the other by economist Dr. Zouhair Rosli of DM Analytics, revealed how piracy today is far more damaging than most people realise. It’s not just about stolen content; it’s about the risks Malaysians face every time they stream illegally or use pirated devices and apps.

Professor Watters’ research uncovered that every illegal streaming device and app tested contained some form of malware. Beyond offering pirated content, these devices had the ability to record conversations, track user locations, and even access private messages. What many think of as “free” entertainment is, in reality, an open door for cybercriminals to infiltrate homes and steal personal data. In short, piracy has evolved into a form of digital exploitation, one that turns convenience into vulnerability.

While Professor Watters’ study focused on the risks to individual users, Dr. Zouhair’s research laid bare the wider economic cost of piracy. His findings showed that Malaysia suffered RM11.4 billion in revenue losses and RM5.1 billion in GDP losses in 2024 alone. The impact on jobs was equally devastating, with an estimated 36,404 positions lost, roughly equivalent to wiping out Malaysia’s entire creative industry workforce. The government, too, lost close to RM1 billion in tax revenue, funds that could have gone towards hospitals, scholarships, or supporting small businesses. To put things into perspective, the GDP loss caused by piracy is larger than the entire 2025 state budget of Selangor.

When both studies are viewed together, they paint a troubling picture. Piracy doesn’t just hurt entertainment companies or sports broadcasters; it weakens the foundations of Malaysia’s digital future. It compromises national cybersecurity, erodes economic progress, and steals opportunities from local creators who depend on fair compensation for their work.

For Malaysians, the takeaway is clear. What may seem like a harmless shortcut to watch content for free is, in fact, a dangerous trade-off, one that puts personal safety, national security, and the country’s creative economy at risk.

As technology advances and streaming becomes more accessible, tackling piracy will require more than just enforcement. It calls for greater awareness among consumers, stronger collaboration between industries, and policies that protect both creators and audiences. Only then can Malaysia truly “boot out piracy” and ensure that its digital future remains safe, fair, and sustainable.