The rise of streaming platforms has transformed the way millions of people access movies, series and music.However, along with the growth of services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime or Spotify, applications have emerged that promise free content without a subscription, capturing the attention of users looking to avoid monthly payments.
Among these options, one of the most sought after by users in Latin America is the Magis TV app, which offers access to movies, series and live sporting events for free.However, cybersecurity and digital rights experts warn that these types of platforms pose risks that go far beyond economic savings.
According to data from Statista, audio streaming has more than 750 million paying users globally, while video platforms have more than 155 million subscribers.However, this market has also seen the proliferation of unofficial applications that offer free access to copyrighted content.
These apps, like Magis TV, are usually absent in official stores such as the Google Play Store or the App Store.Instead, users must download them from alternative sites, which eliminates the security and quality controls imposed by official platforms and increases the risk of downloading malicious software.
According to the computer security company ESET, many of these applications request excessive and critical permissions on the devices where they are installed.
For example, analysis of the Magis TV APK revealed that the app requests access to tasks running on the phone, external storage, notifications, installing packages, and reading audio and multimedia files.
Among the most sensitive permissions are:
These permissions can be exploited by attackers to extract sensitive information, install additional malware, or even track device location and usage.
The cybersecurity company has warned that the theft of information is theoretically feasible in this type of applications, since the access levels granted allow everything from espionage to file manipulation.
The use of applications like Magis TV not only compromises digital security, it can also lead to legal problems.By retransmitting content without authorization from the rights holders, users incur intellectual property violations.According to specialists, this could lead to access being blocked by internet providers and even legal proceedings in some countries.
Furthermore, devices known as Set-Top Boxes, which allow you to install these types of apps and connect the television to the Internet, are especially vulnerable due to the lack of controls and updates.Installing unverified software on these computers increases exposure to threats and the risk of entire home networks being compromised.
The apparent gratuitousness carries significant risks.Experts advise always using official platforms and distrusting applications that ask for excessive permissions or that are not available in recognized stores.
In a context where streaming continues to grow, security and legality must be priorities for those looking for digital entertainment.Downloading unofficial apps can end up costing much more than a regular subscription, both in privacy and potential legal penalties.
