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.

Peru is heading toward a runoff election marked by strong political polarisation and what analysts describe as a persistent “anti-vote” dynamic, where many voters are motivated more by opposition to candidates than genuine support for them. The runoff environment reflects years of political instability, institutional distrust, and public frustration that have repeatedly reshaped Peruvian politics. Analysts note that the current campaign atmosphere differs from the highly confrontational 2021 election cycle, although divisions remain severe across ideological, regional, and socioeconomic lines. Political analyst Román Cendoya stated that candidate Keiko Fujimori has managed to reduce some of the anti-vote sentiment that strongly affected her previous campaigns. According to Cendoya, the political climate “no longer resembles 2021”, suggesting a shift in voter behaviour and campaign dynamics. Even so, the election continues to expose deep tensions within Peruvian society, particularly over governance, corruption, economic inequality, and political legitimacy.

Social Front launches ‘Dialogues for Peru’ initiative ahead of elections

The Peru Social Front has launched a new initiative titled “Dialogues for Peru” , aimed at unifying social demands and building consensus ahead of the country’s upcoming elections. The initiative reflects growing concern that Peru’s fragmented political landscape is leaving large sectors of society disconnected from national decision-making. Organisers argue that social movements, labour groups, and community organisations must coordinate more effectively to ensure that public concerns are not overshadowed by elite political competition. The dialogues are expected to focus on economic inequality, social protection, democratic participation, and regional development. The effort also highlights broader attempts within Peru to reduce political fragmentation and rebuild social trust after years of recurring institutional crises, protests, and leadership instability.

Roberto Sánchez calls for ‘social peace’ and youth unity during election meeting

Peruvian political figure Roberto Sánchez called for unity and “social peace” during a meeting with young people as part of the 2026 election campaign environment. His message reflects wider concerns among political leaders about escalating tensions and political fatigue within the country. Youth engagement has become increasingly important in Peruvian politics, particularly as younger voters express frustration with corruption scandals, unstable governments, and limited economic opportunities. Sánchez’s emphasis on social peace suggests an attempt to position dialogue and stability as central campaign themes at a time when political rhetoric across Latin America has become increasingly confrontational. Calls for unity also underline fears that continued polarisation could deepen social divisions and weaken confidence in democratic institutions.

Government intensifies anti-drug operations with destruction of 11 tons of narcotics

The Peruvian government has strengthened its fight against drug trafficking through the destruction of 11 tons of drugs, underscoring the scale of narcotics activity affecting the country. Peru remains one of the world’s major cocaine-producing countries, making anti-drug enforcement a longstanding national and international security priority. The destruction operation signals continued efforts by authorities to disrupt trafficking networks, reduce organised criminal activity, and strengthen cooperation with international anti-narcotics partners. Drug trafficking continues to affect multiple regions of Peru, particularly rural and border areas where criminal organisations exploit economic vulnerability, weak infrastructure, and difficult terrain. Government anti-drug campaigns are therefore tied not only to policing but also to broader questions of regional development, state presence, and economic alternatives for local communities.

Peru reaffirms commitment to person-centred health reform in Switzerland

Peru has reaffirmed its commitment to person-centred health reform during discussions in Switzerland, signalling continued efforts to improve healthcare delivery and public health policy. The reform approach focuses on strengthening healthcare systems around the needs of individuals and communities rather than relying solely on institution-driven models. Person-centred healthcare has become increasingly prominent globally as governments seek to improve access, equity, prevention, and patient outcomes. Peru’s participation in international health discussions also reflects the growing importance of healthcare reform in Latin America following the pressures exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Policymakers across the region continue to face challenges involving unequal healthcare access, underfunded systems, and regional disparities in medical services. The government’s reaffirmation of reform commitments suggests Peru is attempting to position healthcare modernisation as part of a broader national development agenda.