MPA and Nelson Mandela University Formed Research Pact
The partnership aims to investigate the intersection of digital piracy, cybersecurity risks, and the creative economy in Africa.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Cybersecurity
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The Motion Picture Association and Nelson Mandela University have established a research collaboration to study the connection between online piracy and cybersecurity threats. The initiative will analyze piracy impacts in South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria.
Why it matters
This research intends to provide policymakers and enforcement agencies with evidence regarding the risks consumers face, such as malware and identity theft, while visiting illegal sites. It serves to highlight the broader economic and security dangers linked to digital piracy.
The top 25 audiovisual piracy websites in South Africa record 240 million visits and 1.3 billion page views annually. Despite the removal of 40,000 illegal streaming links, piracy networks still attract 17.4 million visits.
The players
Motion Picture Association
This trade association represents the six major Hollywood studios and works to advance the interests of the film and television industry.
Nelson Mandela University
Located in South Africa, this institution is a comprehensive university focused on academic research and community engagement.
South African Cultural Observatory
This is a research entity that specializes in monitoring the economic impact of the creative and cultural industries in South Africa.
The details
Researchers from the South African Cultural Observatory will join forces with the Motion Picture Association to conduct joint consulting projects. The study will specifically examine how users are exposed to fraud and malicious software while accessing pirated content.
Timeline
The research partnership was officially announced on October 14, 2026.
The Tech Race
This collaboration marks a shift from reactive link removal to proactive academic study of the piracy ecosystem. It positions the stakeholders against global digital piracy networks that account for an estimated US$79 billion in revenue loss.
The research intends to clarify how consumers risk identity theft and malware when visiting illegal streaming websites. Understanding these threats can help users identify safer digital habits and avoid security compromises linked to piracy.
The takeaway
This partnership highlights that digital piracy is as much a security concern as it is an intellectual property issue. Consumers should be aware that the price of free content often includes exposure to malicious software and personal data exploitation.
Further reading
Learn more about the evolving landscape of digital threats in our Cybersecurity section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Cape Times.
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