Virgin Media to cut off persistent pirates
Virgin Media will suspend the internet connections of the most persistent illegal file sharers.

Virgin Media will suspend the internet connections of persistent illegal file sharers as a "last resort".
It was announced as part of a new download subscription service that allows customers to stream and download as many music tracks as they want from Universal Music's back catalogue, for a fee.
To protect Universal Music's intellectual property, persistent illegal files sharers will temporarily be suspended from internet access.
Virgin Media said: "No customers will be permanently disconnected and will not depend on the network monitoring or interception of traffic."
Virgin Media's stance comes as the Digital Britain report revealed that the government was aiming to reduce unlawful file sharing by more than 70 per cent, and was considering giving Ofcom powers to reduce copyright infringement.
ISPs would be required to notify account holders when their account was downloading pirated material, as well as keep data on the most serious of the infringers.
Last year, Virgin Media agreed with the BPI to begin writing to customers where there were allegations of illegal file sharing.
Get the ITPro. daily newsletter
Sign up today and you will receive a free copy of our Focus Report 2025 - the leading guidance on AI, cybersecurity and other IT challenges as per 700+ senior executives
As for keeping data on customers, all ISPs are required to retain information for a period of 12 months under the EU's Data retention Directive, which Virgin Media said it was complying with, as well as any future legislation.

Multichannel attacks are becoming a serious threat for enterprises – and AI is fueling the surge

Cobalt Strike abusers have been dealt a hammer blow: An "aggressive" takedown campaign by Fortra and Microsoft shuttered over 200 malicious domains – and it’s cut the misuse of the tool by 80%