Following the closure of prominent Bulgarian torrent sites Zamunda.net, ArenaBG, and Zelka.org, users in Bulgaria have turned their attention to international torrent platforms. This shift was highlighted by Vladislav Todorov from the General Directorate for Combatting Organized Crime (GDBOC), who oversees intellectual property protection.
As these local platforms ceased operations at the end of January, Bulgarian users began seeking alternatives beyond their national borders. Todorov noted that many are actively searching for non-Bulgarian sites that do not have ties to the country.
Investigation Lacks Public Progress
The shutdown of Zamunda.net, ArenaBG, and Zelka.org was part of a coordinated international effort involving Europol, GDBOC, the State Agency for National Security (DANS), and U.S. authorities. The domain names were confiscated following a ruling from a U.S. court. According to Todorov, the confiscated domains cannot be returned, as they are no longer eligible for registration after the court’s decision.
Law enforcement agencies have identified other torrent trackers; however, a significant number of these platforms cater primarily to users outside Bulgaria.
Four Arrests Made in Bulgaria
As part of the ongoing investigation, four individuals have been arrested in Bulgaria. However, there has been no official communication regarding the next steps in the case. Following the closure of the three platforms, Bulgaria was removed from the U.S. “301 List,” which monitors intellectual property protection issues. In contrast, the European Union remains on this list.
Torrent Trackers Pose Cybersecurity Risks
Todorov also emphasized that downloading files from torrent trackers can expose users to various cybersecurity risks. The implications of these risks are significant, particularly as users navigate the landscape of international torrent sites in search of content.
