Brazil’s Operation 404 Marks Major Milestone in Combating Digital Piracy
Brazil authorities have launched the eighth phase of Operation 404, a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to combat digital piracy. This phase has resulted in the blocking of 535 websites and one streaming application, pushing the total number of blocked domains to over 3,000 since the initiative began in 2019.
Operation 404 has been a collaborative effort between Brazilian authorities and international partners, including the US Department of Justice and the US Department of Commerce. However, in a notable shift, US authorities did not play an active role in this phase, instead participating as observers alongside Mexico. According to Brazil’s Ministry of Justice, these agencies attended to learn about the methodology used in combating digital piracy.
International Cooperation and the Future of Operation 404
Despite the reduced role of US authorities, international cooperation remains a key component of Operation 404. The eighth phase saw strong participation from Argentina, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, and the United Kingdom, with Ecuador making its first direct appearance in an Operation 404 phase. 
Police Raid in Operation 404 (Image Source: gov.br)
Challenges and Future Directions
While Operation 404 has achieved significant successes, it also faces ongoing challenges. The master blocklist maintained by Brazil contains over 30,000 entries, including gambling sites, and not all entries relate to piracy. Furthermore, persistent targets like Futemax, one of the earliest sites targeted in 2019, remain active today, with over 360 Futemax-branded domains currently appearing on Brazil’s blocklist. 
Phase 8 of Operation 404 (Translated to English)
Conclusion and Future Outlook
Operation 404 demonstrates the commitment of Brazilian authorities to combating digital piracy, and its success serves as a model for international cooperation. As the operation continues to evolve, it is likely that we will see further innovations in the methodologies used to combat piracy. With the rise of streaming services, the need for effective anti-piracy measures has never been more pressing. 
For more information on Operation 404 and its impact on the streaming industry, please refer to the official press release from Brazil and the report from TorrentFreak. We invite you to share your thoughts on this story in the comment section below. Stay up-to-date with the latest streaming news, reviews, tips, and more.
