Anti-piracy campaignscan actually causemorepiracy if youre a man.
To test the techniques, the researchers exposed 962 adults to threatening messages used in anti-piracy campaigns.
They then evaluated potential changes in behaviour.
They discovered a cavernous gender gap.
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Unintended consequences of anti-piracy
The messages were verbatim copies of real-world anti-piracy campaigns.
Another reproduced a French government campaign, which threatened to terminate infringers internet access.
They discovered that it did in varying degrees.
Amongmenwith the most favourable attitudes towards digital piracy, the threatening messages increased their piracy even more.
Alongside the threats, the researchers also tested an educational message.
Viewers were signposted away from piracy sites and towards legal platforms such asSpotifyorNetflix.
It did not impact the behaviour ofeither men or women.
Whitmanhopes the study influencespolicymakers, content creators, and anti-piracy advocates.
She also warned them to avoid unintended consequences.
you’re able to read the study paper in theJournal of Business Ethics.
Story byThomas Macaulay
Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.
He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.
Away from work, he e(show all)Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.
He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.
Away from work, he enjoys playing chess (badly) and the guitar (even worse).
