What Is Illegal to Watch on the Internet? What You Must Know

Over the last couple of decades, video content on the Internet has exploded. You can find billions of videos online, from funny cat videos to informational documentaries on streaming platforms.

As you navigate this digital landscape, you should be aware of content that’s illegal to consume. From copyrighted footage to hate speech and pornography, understanding what’s unlawful on the internet is not only a matter of legal compliance but also a reflection of our shared responsibility as digital citizens.

This article will examine various forms of illegal content, explore the potential consequences of engaging with such content, and teach readers how to stay safe online.

What Is Illegal to Do or Watch on the Internet?

You must be aware of certain boundaries in order to navigate the online world responsibly and within the confines of the law. The searches and activities below can get you in trouble with the authorities.

• Distributing, downloading, or streaming pirated content such as movies, music, and software
• Sex crimes, including possessing or viewing child pornography
• Publishing or promoting hate speech, violence, or terrorism
• Engaging with criminals for hire
• Identity theft to deceive or defraud the person whose identity was stolen
• Taking or sharing pictures or videos without the consent of the parties involved
• Cybercrimes like bullying and hacking
• Suspicious searches like how to make weapons, how to harm someone, or how to clear evidence of a crime

Authorities can flag your IP address for these and related activities. If you are flagged, your ISP will access your search history, which may be shared with the police if you are suspected of breaking the law.

Below, I’ll list some of the most relevant and risky activities.

Illegal Things You’re Probably Doing Online

From the list above, here are some illegal activities you might engage in, whether you intend to or not.

Streaming Copyrighted Content Unofficially

Illegally streaming copyrighted content, also called content piracy, is one of the most prevalent forms of online crime. Although it may seem harmless, the legal risks make it a severe issue.

Illegal online streaming platforms make it straightforward and free to access copyrighted materials, but this harms the original creators, who do not receive compensation for their work. Legitimate streaming platforms, like Netflix and Prime Video, have to pay for the rights to stream copyrighted content and ensure that the creators are credited.

Usually, authorities target entities that distribute large amounts of pirated content rather than individuals streaming pirated content at home. That said, illegally streaming copyrighted content can lead to fines or even criminal charges and jail time, depending on the laws in your country.

Downloading and Torrenting Content Unlawfully

Torrenting raises the same concerns as unofficial streaming platforms—content creators aren’t compensated fairly. So, similar to streaming copyrighted content on platforms that haven’t adequately licensed it, it’s illegal to download or torrent copyrighted content from unlicensed platforms, whether the content is videos, images, TV shows, movies, or music.

P2P file-sharing services, commonly used for torrenting, are not illegal. However, downloading or distributing copyrighted material without a license is, and law enforcement agencies constantly monitor P2P networks that spread illegal content.

Depending on the severity of the offense, the penalty for torrenting content illegally includes fines, lawsuits, or even prison time.

Illegal Things to Avoid Searching Online

While you likely don’t intend to search for or discover the content discussed below, you should still know that searching for and viewing it is illegal. To ensure your online experience is safe and legal, I strongly advise that you steer clear of this type of content.

Non-consensual and Child Pornography

Sexually explicit content like pornography is legal in some countries. However, most countries have strict laws against viewing, downloading, or sharing non-consensual or child pornography. Understandably, these laws are put in place to protect the exploited individuals involved.

Searching for this type of content with the intent to view, download, or share it also constitutes a crime. Your IP address can be used to trace your activity, including your Google searches, to see whether you’ve visited a website that hosts non-consensual or child pornography. If you’re found guilty of engaging in such a crime, you could be registered as a sex offender.

If you accidentally encounter content like this, you should report the host website or the specific video(s) to law enforcement.

Videos Related to Weapons, Violence, and Terrorism

It’s illegal to use the internet to look up videos on how to incite violence or how to create illicit weapons. The following Google searches could flag your IP address and notify law enforcement agencies of potential real-world threats, so you do not want to perform these searches:

• How to create, obtain, or modify illicit weapons
• How to create explosives
• How to promote terrorism or advocate extremism
• How to join a terrorist organization
• How to commit or cover up a violent crime like a murder

How to Stay Safe on the Internet

The best way to stay on the safe side of the law is to avoid interacting with illegal videos and other illegal material. But there are other measures that you should consider taking. The most important are:

• Use strong and unique passwords, especially on social media, where there is a lot of personal information and potentially illegal content.
• Use a firewall and antivirus. We don’t condone illegal activity, but if you engage in it accidentally or out of sheer curiosity, you’ll be particularly vulnerable to malware and viruses.
• Use only secure Wi-Fi networks or a VPN with insecure networks like public Wi-Fi.

Use a VPN to Further Enhance Your Safety

While a virtual private network (VPN) can secure your connection on public Wi-Fi, it also has many other uses. Investing in a VPN is one of the best proactive ways to protect yourself online.

A VPN encrypts your internet connection, making your online activity significantly more private and secure.

A VPN lets you connect to a remote server to access foreign content and services. That means you can watch new content libraries on legal streaming platforms. While using a VPN like this is against the terms of service for most streaming platforms, it’s not illegal—unless you live in one of the few countries that ban VPNs entirely.

Below are the best VPNs I’ve tested. I recommend these VPNs for their safety features and performance when streaming video content.

1. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is my top recommendation. It offers military-grade encryption that increases your security and protects your privacy online. With high-speed servers across 105 countries, you can change your virtual location anytime. Plus, with a 30-day money-back guarantee, you can try it out and get a refund if you don’t like it.

2. CyberGhost

CyberGhost VPN offers many features, including strong encryption and privacy features. While all good VPNs are beginner-friendly, CyberGhost is particularly easy to use. It’s an excellent choice for someone who’s not tech-savvy. Furthermore, CyberGhost has special servers devoted to certain activities, like streaming or torrenting. A subscription also comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee.

3. PIA

Private Internet Access (PIA) offers features and performance similar to other VPNs. Its main selling points are its massive server network and highly customizable features. It is simple to use, even for those new to VPNs. PIA allows unlimited simultaneous device connections with one account, whereas most VPNs allow 7 to 10. Like the other VPNs, PIA has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Conclusion

You were probably already aware that watching certain content online is illegal. Streaming pirated movies and TV shows is a common way to get yourself in trouble with your ISP—at the very least. And everyone should know sexual exploitation is strictly illegal.

However, other forms of content could be dangerous and illegal. These include violent or extremist content or even educational content about illicit activities.

You may not have realized that specific online searches can flag you as a potential threat, even if you didn’t engage in an illegal activity after the search. If you’re a law-abiding citizen and this fact concerns you, you can use a VPN to hide your search history for peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Topic: Internet