Video Streaming Services and Content Leakage Challenges

This technical report examines the challenges posed by content leakage in video streaming services, particularly in the context of increasing digital piracy. It outlines the significant revenue losses faced by the movie industry due to piracy, estimated between $40 and $97 billion annually. The report discusses the vulnerabilities in current content protection solutions, such as Digital Rights Management (DRM) and multi-DRM services, and highlights the necessity for improved security measures. It details various types of attacks that pirates employ, including access token theft and CDN leeching, and emphasizes the importance of implementing robust security mechanisms to mitigate these threats. The report also argues against the prevailing belief that preventing content leakage is impossible, suggesting that with better design and implementation, streaming services can significantly reduce their vulnerabilities. Recommendations for enhancing security and making piracy more challenging are provided, aiming to protect the integrity of legal streaming services.