According to data from digital piracy analytics firm MUSO , visualised by World Visualized, the US accounted for approximately 26.68 billion visits to piracy websites, representing 12.33% of total global traffic tracked in the report.

India ranked second with 17.56 billion visits, followed by Russia with 15.40 billion, while Indonesia and Vietnam completed the top five countries for piracy-related web traffic.

The figures reflect continued global demand for free access to movies, television shows, software, music, anime, live sports and video games, even as subscription-based streaming services expand across international markets.

Digital piracy surged during the early internet era through torrent downloads and peer-to-peer file sharing, but analysts say modern piracy has evolved into sophisticated streaming ecosystems that closely resemble legitimate platforms.

MUSO researchers have repeatedly noted that piracy trends often rise alongside growing consumer frustration over fragmented streaming services, regional content restrictions and increasing subscription costs.

Industry experts say users frequently turn to illegal websites when content is unavailable in their region or spread across multiple paid platforms.

The rise of exclusive streaming deals has further complicated access for consumers, particularly in emerging markets where subscription costs remain high relative to average incomes.

Several rapidly growing digital economies ranked prominently in the MUSO data, including India, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand.

Analysts say large populations, rising internet penetration and mobile-first digital consumption have contributed significantly to piracy traffic growth across Asia.

India alone accounted for more than 8% of global piracy traffic in the report, driven by strong demand for entertainment, sports broadcasts and software downloads.

Indonesia ranked fourth globally with 12.11 billion visits, while Vietnam recorded 7.44 billion visits to piracy-related websites.

Researchers note that piracy rates are often influenced by local income levels, access to legal content and enforcement capacity.

Russia ranked third globally in piracy traffic despite increased international sanctions and restrictions affecting digital services in recent years.

Meanwhile, several major Western economies also appeared among the highest piracy users globally, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Canada.

Canada and the UK each recorded more than 5.8 billion visits , while France and Germany surpassed 5 billion visits.

Piracy remains widespread even in developed markets due to consumer demand for instant, unrestricted and low-cost access to content.

One of the fastest-growing areas of digital piracy involves live sports broadcasting, particularly football, boxing, Formula One and pay-per-view events.

Media analysts say illegal sports streams attract millions of viewers globally because premium sports rights are increasingly locked behind expensive subscription packages.

The global entertainment industry loses billions of dollars annually due to piracy, according to estimates from copyright protection groups and media industry organisations.

Film studios, streaming companies and sports broadcasters have intensified anti-piracy efforts through legal action, domain seizures and AI-powered tracking systems designed to detect illegal content distribution.

Despite tougher enforcement measures and wider access to legal streaming services, MUSO data suggests piracy continues operating at an enormous scale across both developed and emerging economies.

The ranking compares how much one unit of each currency can buy in US dollars, highlighting the enduring strength of several Middle Eastern currencies that are backed by energy exports, currency pegs and substantial sovereign wealth reserves.

According to the Seasia Stats research, one Kuwaiti dinar currently buys approximately $3.24 , placing it well ahead of every major global currency. The Bahraini dinar ranked second at $2.65 , followed closely by the Omani dinar at $2.60 .

The Jordanian dinar and the British pound rounded out the top five, while the Cayman Islands dollar, Swiss franc and euro also traded above parity with the US currency.

Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman all maintain exchange rate systems closely linked to the US dollar, helping stabilise their currencies against volatility in global markets.

Kuwait’s dinar, first introduced in 1961, has long been regarded as one of the strongest currencies globally due to the country’s massive oil reserves, relatively small population and strong external financial position.

The Kuwaiti central bank manages the dinar through a basket-based exchange system designed to reduce exposure to fluctuations in any single foreign currency.

Similarly, Bahrain and Oman benefit from significant oil and gas revenues that help sustain investor confidence and foreign reserve strength.

Analysts note that a “strong” currency in nominal terms does not necessarily mean a country has the world’s largest economy. Instead, it reflects the exchange value of one unit of currency relative to another.

The British pound ranked fifth on the list, with one pound buying around $1.25.

Sterling remains one of the world’s oldest continuously used currencies and continues to play a central role in global finance despite economic pressures linked to inflation, Brexit-related trade shifts and slowing growth in the United Kingdom.

Currency strategists say the pound’s resilience is supported by London’s role as a global financial hub and investor confidence in UK financial institutions.

The Swiss franc and euro also appeared among currencies stronger than the US dollar.

The Swiss franc, often viewed as a global safe-haven asset during economic uncertainty, traded at roughly $1.11 per franc in the Seasia Stats ranking.

Switzerland’s political neutrality, low inflation environment and stable banking system have historically strengthened demand for the currency during periods of geopolitical instability.

The euro, used by 20 European Union member states, remained slightly above the US dollar at around $1.04.

Although the euro has faced pressure in recent years from energy crises, inflation and slower industrial growth in parts of Europe , it remains the world’s second-largest reserve currency after the US dollar.

Despite several currencies holding higher nominal values than the dollar, the US currency remains the dominant force in global finance.

The dollar accounts for the majority of international trade settlements, central bank reserves and cross-border borrowing worldwide, according to International Monetary Fund and Bank for International Settlements data.

The US Federal Reserve’s interest rate policies also continue to heavily influence global currency markets, often affecting capital flows into emerging and developed economies alike.

The rankings highlight stark contrasts between countries where citizens enjoy open access to information and those where governments maintain heavy censorship, surveillance and platform restrictions.

Thailand topped the list of countries with the most restricted internet environment, scoring just 39 points on Freedom House’s internet freedom scale . Turkey followed with 31, while Uzbekistan, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates also ranked among the world’s most digitally restrictive states.

Pakistan, Venezuela, Russia, Iran and China rounded out the bottom tier, reflecting ongoing concerns around state surveillance, content filtering, arrests linked to online activity and restrictions on foreign platforms.

Freedom House evaluates countries using factors including internet accessibility, limits on content, and violations of user rights. Lower scores indicate harsher restrictions and weaker digital freedoms.

China, despite having one of the world’s most advanced digital ecosystems, continues to maintain what analysts describe as the most sophisticated censorship apparatus globally. Authorities tightly control social media , search engines and online discourse through the country’s “Great Firewall,” blocking major Western platforms such as Google, Facebook, X and YouTube.

Russia and Iran have also intensified online controls in recent years, particularly during periods of political unrest and geopolitical tension. Both governments have expanded surveillance capabilities and introduced stricter regulations targeting journalists, activists and independent media operating online.

In Southeast Asia, Thailand and Vietnam have increasingly faced criticism from digital rights organisations over the use of lèse-majesté laws, cybercrime legislation and state monitoring tools to police online expression.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, Iceland ranked as the world’s freest internet environment with a score of 94. Estonia followed closely with 91, while Canada, the Netherlands and Japan also ranked highly for strong protections around free expression, digital privacy and open access to information.

European nations dominated the top positions, reflecting long-standing legal protections for civil liberties and stricter oversight of government surveillance practices.

The United Kingdom, France and Germany all remained within the “free internet” category, although watchdogs have raised concerns in recent years over expanding online safety legislation and data retention powers.

The United States scored 73, placing it below several European peers. Freedom House has previously cited concerns over misinformation, online harassment, political polarisation and the growing influence of private technology companies over public discourse.

Several major emerging economies fell into a middle category described as “partly restricted.” Brazil and South Korea each scored 65, while Mexico, the Philippines and Ukraine followed closely behind.

India, the world’s largest democracy and one of the fastest-growing digital markets, scored 51. Freedom House has repeatedly pointed to internet shutdowns, particularly in Kashmir, alongside increasing pressure on technology platforms and journalists.

Singapore and Indonesia also appeared in the partially restricted category, reflecting what analysts say is a broader trend among governments seeking tighter control over digital narratives while maintaining relatively open internet infrastructure.

Digital rights advocates warn that internet freedom worldwide has declined for more than a decade as governments adopt increasingly sophisticated methods to monitor and influence online activity.

Freedom House researchers have also highlighted the growing use of artificial intelligence, biometric surveillance and state-backed disinformation campaigns as emerging threats to online freedom globally.

While highly connected societies continue to benefit from open digital ecosystems, the data suggests that access alone no longer defines internet freedom. Instead, the ability to communicate without censorship, surveillance or political intimidation has become the defining measure of digital liberty in the modern era.

Some of the world ’s biggest bank robberies have involved not just organised criminals, but wars, political instability and highly coordinated insider operations, with losses ranging from tens of millions to nearly $1 billion.

According to records documented by Guinness World Records and financial reporting archives, including World Finance, the largest known bank robbery in history remains the 2003 theft from the Central Bank of Iraq, where more than $920 million was stolen in the chaotic days surrounding the Iraq War.

Iraq Heist Remains the Largest on Record

The Central Bank of Iraq robbery unfolded shortly before the United States-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003.

According to reports widely cited by Guinness World Records, Saddam Hussein allegedly sent his son Qusay Hussein to withdraw approximately $920 million in cash from the central bank using handwritten notes shortly before coalition forces entered Baghdad.

Much of the money was later recovered by U.S. troops hidden inside palace walls, although large sums remain unaccounted for.

The robbery continues to be regarded as the largest bank theft ever recorded.

Dar es Salaam Heist Shocked East Africa

Among the largest modern commercial bank robberies was the Dar es Salaam Bank heist in Iraq, estimated at roughly $282 million.

The case highlighted growing concerns over corruption, weak institutional oversight and the vulnerability of financial systems in conflict-affected regions.

Financial crime experts say some of the largest robberies in history succeeded not through sophisticated hacking, but through insider access and political instability.

Britain’s Most Famous Vault Robberies

Several of the world’s most notorious heists took place in the United Kingdom.

The 1987 Knightsbridge Security Deposit robbery in London saw Italian criminal Valerio Viccei and accomplices steal an estimated $97 million worth of cash, jewellery and valuables after gaining access to safety deposit vaults by posing as customers.

Meanwhile, the 2006 Securitas depot robbery in Kent became Britain’s largest cash theft, with armed criminals stealing approximately £53 million, equivalent to around $83 million at the time. Many of those involved were later arrested, though part of the money was never recovered.

Brazil’s Underground Bank Burglary

In Brazil, the 2005 Banco Central burglary became famous for the method used rather than sheer violence.

A criminal gang spent months digging a tunnel beneath the city of Fortaleza before stealing roughly $71.6 million from the Central Bank of Brazil.

Authorities later described the operation as one of the most technically elaborate bank robberies ever conducted.

Northern Ireland’s Political Shadow

The 2004 Northern Bank robbery in Belfast resulted in the theft of around £26.5 million, equivalent to roughly $41 million at the time.

The robbery drew international attention amid allegations of involvement by paramilitary groups linked to the Irish republican movement, claims that were politically sensitive during Northern Ireland’s peace process.

The latest example came in 2026, when Polish YouTube collective ŁatwoGang reportedly raised an extraordinary $68.9 million in just nine days , setting a new benchmark for creator-led fundraising events.

The figure eclipses previous records set by France’s ZEvent, one of Europe’s most successful charity streaming marathons, and reflects the growing influence of digital creators in mobilising global audiences.

French livestream charity event ZEvent has become one of the most recognised fundraising initiatives in the online creator economy.

Founded by French streamers Adrien “ZeratoR” Nougaret and Alexandre “Dach” Dachary, the event brings together dozens of creators annually to raise money for humanitarian and environmental causes.

According to organisers and reporting from BBC News , the 2021 edition raised more than €10 million for Action Against Hunger, becoming one of the largest charity streaming campaigns ever recorded at the time. Subsequent editions continued to grow rapidly, with the 2025 event reportedly generating nearly $19 million within three days.

The event’s success has highlighted the power of livestream communities to convert audience engagement directly into donations at unprecedented speed.

In the United States, creators have also begun testing the limits of online fundraising.

A 2025 livestream collaboration involving YouTube creator MrBeast and streamer Adin Ross reportedly generated approximately $12 million in just 18 hours, demonstrating how major internet personalities can attract audiences comparable to large broadcast events.

MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, is widely recognised for blending philanthropy with entertainment content and has built one of the world ’s largest YouTube audiences, with hundreds of millions of subscribers across platforms, according to Forbes.

Platforms such as Twitch, YouTube and Kick are increasingly functioning as large-scale fundraising infrastructure rather than simply entertainment services.

Data from Streams Charts shows charity livestreams consistently rank among the highest-engagement online events globally, often attracting millions of cumulative viewing hours and international participation.

Industry analysts say the format succeeds because livestreaming combines entertainment, direct audience interaction and real-time donation tracking, creating a sense of collective participation difficult to replicate through traditional fundraising methods.

Charity streaming first gained traction through gaming communities in the late 2010s, but has since expanded far beyond esports audiences.

One of the earliest large-scale examples came from Twitch streamer DrLupo, who raised nearly $900,000 in 24 hours in 2019 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Over five years, his fundraising efforts surpassed $10 million, according to campaign records and Twitch reporting.

Since then, creator-led charity events have broadened to include music, politics, lifestyle content and global humanitarian campaigns.

“We took 20 DNA samples and actually we have found more than 11 now, we’ve found 17 fathers and we’re in the process of taking them to court,” McLeod said on the Global South Conversation.

“All of the fathers we found have been either British Army soldiers or Commonwealth soldiers attached to the British Army training unit for a period of time,” he added.

Abuse goes beyond peacekeepers

The revelations are part of a wider effort using commercial DNA databases and forensic mapping to trace the biological fathers of children born from alleged sexual abuse, exploitation, and sex tourism involving foreign workers deployed in developing countries.

McLeod, who worked for both the UN and the Red Cross, said the problem stretches far beyond peacekeeping soldiers.

“It’s not just peacekeeping soldiers. It’s UN civilian staff as well. I saw how many women and children in the developing world have been abused by UN staff, NGO staff, mainly expatriates,” he said.

He added that abuses linked to international missions have persisted for decades in countries including Liberia, Sierra Leone, the Philippines, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

“The food-for-sex scandals we saw in the early 2000s in Liberia and Sierra Leone saw people escaping horrible wars… going to refugee camps but not being allowed in unless they handed over sexual favours,” he said.

DNA databases 

McLeod said his organisation developed a process that isolates the father’s DNA from a child born through abuse and compares it to international genealogy databases such as 23andMe and AncestryDNA.

“We can take DNA from the child that is born from abuse, isolate the father’s side of the DNA, compare that to international databases… triangulate backwards till we find the father, then knock on his door,” he explained.

Kenya and the Philippines cases reveal global pattern

He said the process has been successful in the Philippines, where investigators have reportedly identified about 35 fathers from approximately 40 DNA samples taken from children abandoned by sex tourists.

“We’ve found about 35 fathers. But it’s not just finding the fathers. You’ve got to take these fathers to courts in their home jurisdiction. Every child has the right to know who their father is. Every child has the right to the citizenship that derives from who their parents are,” he told Ismail Akwei.

Accountability from governments and the UN

Professor Andrew McLeod cited warnings from law enforcement agencies that predators increasingly target developing countries through aid and humanitarian work.

“No large organisation can say they didn’t know this happens. This has been going on for 30 or 40 years. The predators now go to the developing world,” McLeod claimed.

While he acknowledged that not every case can prove rape or coercion, he argued that DNA evidence at least establishes biological responsibility and forces alleged fathers to answer for abandoned children.

About 80 percent of the men contacted by the organisation eventually accepted responsibility, McLeod revealed.

He called for mandatory DNA collection for all male peacekeepers, aid workers, and soldiers before deployment overseas and added that perpetrators may eventually be identified decades later, even after death.

Limitations of DNA databases

He pointed to growing concerns involving foreign workers from other countries, including reports of Chinese workers allegedly abandoning children in African countries such as Malawi, Ghana, and Zimbabwe.

Although current DNA databases are more effective in tracing Western nationals because of larger participation in commercial ancestry platforms, McLeod believes future technological developments will widen the scope globally.

Watch the full interview attached to this story.