Microsoft's app store is overflowing with piracy apps offering access to free movies (MSFT)

pulse

August 21, 2017 1:52 PM

One app promises the "latest movies and television shows," including everything from "Harry Potter" to "Star Wars" — totally free.

A screenshot of an app advertised on Microsoft's app store as offering free access to movies.

It looks like Microsoft's app store has got a piracy problem.

As first reported by torrent news site TorrentFreak, the company's app store rankings are full of apps that promise to let users watch Hollywood movies and TV shows for free.

One that claims "all movies are FREE to watch" includes images of "Pirates of the Caribbean," "Game of Thrones," "Doctor Who," and more in its publicity shots.

Another brags of "a massive library of prime entertainment contents including latest movies and television shows to watch at no cost," apparently including "Suicide Squad," "Deadpool," "Ghostbusters," "Harry Potter" and "Star Wars."

Many have positive reviews, including "I like that everything is free!!" and "love the movie quality and new films great."

There are numerous apps like this, and they are easy to find, making no attempt to hide their true nature. They have names like "Free Movies Online" and "HD Movies Online 2019." in Microsoft's app store.

Business Insider did not test out the offending apps, and it's possible that some don't work as described — despite their popularity and positive reviews. But that would still mean there are numerous apps in Microsoft's app store that are fraudulently describing themselves as offering free access to movies.

Microsoft did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment.

The company's App Developer Agreement requires developers to promise they will "not use the Store or any services or tools made available for the development of Apps for, or to permit others to carry out, any illegal activity."

pulse