123Movies is one of the most popular free online movie streaming sites that allows you to watch thousands of movies and TV shows in high resolution for free.
But is 123Movies safe? What are the legal implications of watching content on such websites? In this article, we’ll present answers to the above questions in detail.
What is 123Movies called now?
123Movies is not a single website but a group of websites with a common domain operating from Vietnam.
123Movies has changed its name several times due to legal issues and domain seizures. Some of the names 123Movies has used are GoMovies, GoStream, MeMovies, and 123movieshub. The original 123Movies shut down in 201 at the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) request.
However, not all is lost. There are still a few websites within the 123Movies network that are still working, such as 0123movie.net.
Head to this article to find the top 7 alternatives to 123Movies.
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Is 123Movies legal?
While ethically, downloading or watching pirated content is wrong, legally, it depends on many factors. Ethically it is wrong as you are doing a disservice to hundreds of people who have devoted much of their time to that project.
The biggest factor is your jurisdiction when using the 123Movies website. Different countries have different copyright laws; some can be extremely hard, while others can be soft and understanding.
In other countries, laws are in place, but enforcement is not strict. For example, the Copyright Act of 1957 in India exists, but the enforcement is rather lull.
However, in countries such as UK or Australia, streaming movies online on 123Movies is illegal and can result in a fine or jail. So, be cautious and know the law of the land before engaging in such activities.
That being said, if you happen to watch content on websites such as 123Movies, you may not get in trouble. The authorities are already under immense workload, and usually, they will not go after someone just watching a movie online. Rather, they will hunt for the main culprit, the website’s owner. So, if you have nothing to do with the administration of such websites or you are not uploading pirated content on such websites, there’s little probability that you will face any legal consequences.
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Is 123Movies safe?
The safety of 123Movies is another matter of concern. The primary risk is that since the original website doesn’t exist now, you may have to use a clone of it.
The clones may contain malicious software or viruses that may harm your device or even steal your data. These clones may also redirect you to phishing sites without you knowing.
Another matter of concern is the random pop-up ads on such websites. Usually, when a website provides copyrighted content for free, it will use the ads to garner as much revenue as possible. These ads can be laden with adware and can track your IP address or make you click on unwanted links. You can use any good adblocker to get rid of these ads. However, not all websites work properly after using an adblocker.
Read our article on how to block ads on Android here
Therefore, if you want a safe viewing experience on such websites, you can use a VPN to hide your real IP address and encrypt your traffic. A VPN can also protect you from hackers and cybercriminals who may exploit your connection or steal your data.
In conclusion, 123Movies is a good website to watch online content if you set aside ethical and legal considerations. However, take precautions like a VPN and adblocker while watching content on such websites. We hope that you got an answer to your question: Is 123Movies safe, and what are the ethical and legal implications of watching content on such platforms?
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