Roku Streaming Devices Banned In Mexico Due To Piracy

Mexican courts have taken the view that Rokus are to blame for piracy.

Out of the box, the device can only stream content for which copyright has been honoured, but hackers can enable the streaming of pirated channels like HBO and ESPN.

They do this by creating an app (or channel) for Roku that contains the pirated stream and keeping it in private beta mode.

This way, the app is hidden from Roku’s moderators but can be distributed by sending out a code meant to allow the legitimate testing of new apps on other Rokus.

These hackers then sold access to the codes at a price which undercut the official subscriptions, using WhatsApp to communicate with buyers.

The lawsuit was brought by Cablevision of Mexico, whose content was also pirated.

They are owned by Televisa, the largest Spanish-language media conglomerate in the world.

Given Televisa’s enormous power in Mexico, questions have been raised as to whether the decision was entirely fair to Roku.