Chile’s National Cybersecurity Agency (ANCI) has received warnings from the technology and telecommunications sectors regarding the potential privacy risks posed by pirated streaming devices widely used in Chilean homes. The alert comes as Google’s Threat Intelligence Group (GTIG) confirmed a Chinese cyber espionage operation, dubbed UNC2814, had compromised organizations in Chile and 41 other countries.
Representatives from the Chilean Chamber of Digital Infrastructure (IDICAM) presented technical analyses to the ANCI detailing how these illicit streaming applications request permissions unrelated to their stated functions – including access to cameras, microphones, GPS data, and storage. On modified Android devices, these permissions could enable covert user surveillance, according to sources within the industry.
“Many people believe they are simply installing an app to watch TV, but they may be granting access to sensitive device functions,” the sources said.
The ANCI has not yet announced any concrete measures or formal commitments in response to the report. Industry representatives are considering escalating pressure through further legal action and meetings with officials from the Undersecretariat of Telecommunications (Subtel).
Separately, the 19th Civil Court of Santiago issued a ruling ordering the dynamic blocking of 17 illegal platforms, including Flujotv and MagisTV, instructing all Chilean Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to comply. Users attempting to access these sites will now witness a message stating: “Website blocked for infringement of intellectual property laws.” While the industry views this as a positive step, it considers it insufficient without a proactive prevention policy.
According to data shared by industry sources, 38% of households with fixed internet access in Latin America consume pirated TV content – peaking at 41% in the second quarter of 2024, according to Origin Insights. More than 40 million households regularly access illegal signals through TV boxes, M3U lists, and clandestine apps. Annual losses to subscription platforms exceed $521 million USD. Illegal websites remain the most common access point (73% of users), but pirate TV apps are gaining ground, now accounting for 39% of usage and continuing to expand.
The Google GTIG report detailed how UNC2814, a cyber espionage group linked to Beijing and active since 2017, compromised organizations across 42 countries, including Chile, utilizing Google Cloud infrastructure to mask malicious traffic. Both pirated TV devices and state-sponsored cyber espionage share a common vector – unauthorized access to the digital infrastructure of users and organizations – and operate using similar tactics: silent installation, requests for excessive permissions, and exploitation of a lack of oversight.
Chile’s simultaneous appearance in both alerts – the domestic privacy concerns and the geopolitical espionage report – highlights a broader digital security gap that extends beyond living room TV boxes and reaches into the networks of public organizations.
The ANCI was established in 2025, according to Law No. 21.663, passed on April 27, 2024, and is responsible for the cybersecurity of the Chilean state. Its functions include advising the President on national cybersecurity policy, coordinating the National CSIRT, and qualifying essential services and vital operators. The agency is currently led by National Director Daniel Álvarez Valenzuela and has a staff of 49, with a 2025 budget of $3.847.282.000 Chilean pesos (approximately $4.2 million USD).
Upcoming ANCI events include a virtual workshop on April 9th titled “Update Periodically,” a virtual workshop on May 6th titled “Minimize Privileges,” and a virtual workshop on June 11th titled “Back Up Information Periodically.”