A Hyderabad based software engineer who ran the illegal app ‘Thop TV’ has been arrested by the Maharashtra Cyber Cell. Satish Venkateshwarlu was arrested for distributing pirated content ripped off from OTT platforms and satellite channels. He has been remanded to seven days of police custody by a Mumbai court. 

Sanjay Shintre, SP, Maharashtra Cyber told media, “Maharashtra Cyber cell has done a technical investigation into the FIR and accordingly we have arrested one culprit from Hyderabad. The culprit had used Thop TV as a platform and as an app. He primarily provided free content on Telegram.” 

© APKPure

Thop TV became popular amongst internet users as it charged a very nominal fee of Rs 35 to let users stream premium content on the app. The Thop TV app would also host live streams of Indian TV channels from Star, Jio, Airtel and other DTH providers. The app would also provide content from streaming apps such as Netflix, HotStar, Prime Video and other regional OTT platforms. Thop TV’s service has been taken offline since the arrest and the app has stopped working for users who already had it installed as well. 

© nahel-abdul-hadi-unsplash

The 28-year-old digital pirate had been operating the app from his home for the past two years. It had lakhs of subscribers including paid customers. Satish was arrested after a complaint was filed by Viacom 18 Media Private Limited, along with another broadcaster. The broadcasters approached the Maharashtra Cyber Cell and informed them that Thop TV was transmitting content without authorisation. 

The platform was also abused by users who wanted to watch live sports, movies and TV shows. The police have now booked Satish for cheating and other relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. 

Many users of the app reacted to the news with memes on Twitter:

No more #ThopTV now! pic.twitter.com/Y5GS2tHSqO

#thoptv we will miss you. pic.twitter.com/mFesCsJv2r

#thoptv owner arrested by maharashtra police

users : pic.twitter.com/gv6v53877F

THOP TV: CEO got arrested #thoptv pic.twitter.com/ALvBBMihN7

Main Image for representation purposes only. 

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