Andreaux highlights that the challenges associated with piracy extend beyond merely ethical or economic dimensions, bringing to light issues regarding reliability, privacy, and individual security.

Abed Kataya, representing SMEX, a digital rights organization based in Beirut, remarks that in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), piracy is driven by structural obstacles rather than cultural inclinations. He clarifies that the initial users of the internet in this area assumed online content was complimentary, a perception influenced by the characteristics of Web 1.0 and 2.0.

Kataya notes that structural impediments continue to push many individuals towards illegal streaming services due to an absence of local options, difficulties with payments, the requirement to circumvent censorship, and the quest for free or lower-cost content. Access to payment methods is a crucial concern, as a significant number of people are either unbanked or skeptical about online transactions.

In Algeria and Lebanon, content is distributed through external hard drives and shared streaming passwords, whereas in Egypt, content dissemination occurs via extensive Telegram channels.

Mira remarks that overcoming online obstacles is a fundamental human instinct, and streaming services like StarzPlay are responding by tackling payment issues with adaptable models and telecom billing choices to improve accessibility.

The Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE) brings together international media companies to address piracy, featuring notable organizations such as Netflix and regional players like OSN Group. Kataya notes the increasing presence of official streaming services like Shahid and Netflix in the area.

Local services and social media platforms are also integral to the growth of legal streaming; however, piracy introduces legal and security threats by putting users at risk of malware and insecure transactions, as Andreaux points out. Despite these initiatives, structural challenges imply that many viewers in regions like North Africa and the Levant still struggle with legitimate access.