Dailymotion has been around for 20 years and is one of the largest video-sharing platforms, hosting everything from music and short films to news and sports. If you're considering it as an alternative to YouTube, it's important to assess Dailymotion’s risks before streaming.
Is Dailymotion safe to watch movies? While it is a legitimate site, its safety depends on factors like ad security, data tracking, and how you use the platform. In 2016, the site experienced a breach where over 80 million account details were leaked1, so it's crucial to be cautious. While Dailymotion has made strides to improve security since then, there are potential cybersecurity loopholes you should be aware of.
That’s why I’ve investigated Dailymotion’s legal standing, security risks, and best practices for safer streaming. Whether you're concerned about malware, child safety, or data privacy, you’ll find practical advice to help deliver a safer viewing experience.
What Are Dailymotion's Security Features?
Dailymotion has implemented various security features to protect you, though some of these measures have limitations. While the platform takes steps to prevent abuse, malware, and inappropriate content, its safeguards may not be as robust as those of larger competitors like YouTube.
Platform Web Security
Dailymotion uses Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption to secure all connections, ensuring that data transfers between you and the platform remain protected. The site also employs content scanning for known malware and automated flagging systems to detect suspicious videos.
To prevent abuse, Dailymotion enforces IP blocking for repeat offenders and offers account verification options to enhance credibility. There's also HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) encryption to protect video content during distribution, safeguarding against unauthorized access.
Child Protection
To limit children's exposure to mature content, Dailymotion has a sensitive content filtering option (replacing the previous Age Gate family filter). This filter hides explicit material and can be enabled at the bottom of the homepage or in the mobile app.
The platform has report buttons for you to flag inappropriate videos too. Dailymotion’s partnership with E-Enfance is also focused on helping both children and parents to use the site safely.
Content Moderation Policies
Dailymotion employs automated tools and human moderators to detect and remove harmful or inappropriate content, such as videos that violate their terms of service. R-rated videos are allowed, but illegal material isn’t. Reported videos go through a review process, and the platform has a “Prohibited Content” policy in place to handle unauthorized or problematic uploads.
To prevent content theft, Dailymotion partners with Audible Magic and INA (Institut National de l’Audiovisuel) to implement video fingerprinting technologies. These systems compare new uploads against a database of known content fingerprints to detect and block unauthorized reposts.
To combat spam, Dailymotion also restricts uploads — free users can upload up to 15 videos per 24 hours, while Pro users are capped at 96 uploads per day.
Data Collection and Privacy
The service provides some transparency regarding its privacy policy and complies with GDPR regulations for those of you in the EU. The platform offers data export options for you to review your collected information, as well as cookie consent controls and account deletion tools for those concerned about privacy.
Password Protection and Geolocation Access Restrictions
You can also set passwords for individual videos or an entire library, limiting access to authorized viewers only. You can even set access to videos based on viewer location or specific domains, ensuring content is only available to intended audiences. Just note that these features are only available to Pro members.
Common Security Concerns on Dailymotion
While the above security measures offer some protection, Dailymotion still has a few potential security concerns worth keeping in mind:
1. Cyberthreats
Malicious advertisements are the biggest security risk on Dailymotion. While the platform itself is legitimate, it can still be a target for exploitation. The main dangers come from ads, fake links, and compromised accounts — not from Dailymotion directly. Here’s what to watch out for:
Fake Links
One of the most common cybersecurity risks on the site is spam links. Hackers can take over Dailymotion accounts to post spam links in comments, video descriptions, or messages. These links may lead to phishing sites, scams, or malware-infected downloads.
Ad Safety
While rare, misleading pop-ups do appear on Dailymotion, often disguising their close buttons or placing fake "X" icons. Clicking these can auto-redirect or open new tabs leading to suspicious websites or adult content.
Scam ads are also common, promoting deals that seem too good to be true — and often are. These ads can redirect you to fake storefronts designed to steal your payment details or send you counterfeit products. In 2014, Dailymotion was infected by malicious ads that redirected users to a fake antivirus scam².
Even more concerning, some hackers post ads hiding drive-by downloads. These infected ads try to install harmful files on your device without your consent, including malware, spyware, or other programs that can steal your data or slow down your device's performance.
Account Security
Phishing attacks are another concern. Scammers send fake emails or messages that appear to be from Dailymotion, tricking users into entering their login details on counterfeit websites.
If you’re a content creator, you may also be targeted by social engineering scams. These scams involve hackers posing as brands, sponsors, or even Dailymotion staff. They’re designed to manipulate creators into sharing their Dailymotion Studio login credentials or downloading malicious files.
2. Privacy Issues
While Dailymotion’s data collection practices are similar to those of other streaming platforms, they still involve gathering a significant amount of personal information — which may raise privacy concerns for some users. Here’s what kind of data the platform collects:
| Data Collected | Potential Privacy Risks |
| Extensive logs of videos watched, categories viewed, and time spent on content |
May be used to build detailed behavioral profiles without explicit user awareness |
| Details about ad interactions, likes/dislikes, and other platform engagement |
Enables highly personalized ad targeting, which some users may find invasive |
| Third-party cookies and tracking scripts embedded on Dailymotion and partner sites |
Allows advertisers and other third parties to track users across the web without consent |
| User activity on third-party websites via Dailymotion’s embedded video player |
Reduces user control and transparency over cross-site data collection |
| Personal information shared by affiliates, partners, or data brokers (with user consent) |
Can lead to unexpected profiling and expanded data collection beyond the original platform |
| Geolocation data, including IP-based and device-level location info |
May be used to serve location-based ads or restrict content without fully informing users |
| Device-specific identifiers like IP address, browser type, OS, and device ID |
Enables persistent user tracking even without cookies, making it difficult to stay anonymous |
3. Legal Risks
Dailymotion has faced ongoing legal challenges due to user-uploaded content that may violate copyright laws and regulations. While it does have some content and copyright protection measures, the site can seem to struggle with moderating the 400 million active users it receives per month.
Some users upload copyrighted content without permission. Unauthorized streams of TV shows and movies can pose legal risks for both viewers and content owners. Reposting geo-blocked Dailymotion content can also violate the site’s terms of service.
4. Child Safety Risks
Dailymotion’s content moderation is less strict than YouTube’s, making it a riskier platform for younger viewers. While some safeguards exist, inappropriate content and online threats can still slip through:
- Age-inappropriate content may not be caught by filters. Despite content guidelines, videos with violence, profanity, or mature themes may still get recommended. It’s also up to creators to label their videos as “sensitive content” or “created for kids.”
- Limited parental controls compared to competitors. Dailymotion lacks robust parental control options, making it harder for parents to restrict access.
- Risky comment sections. Without strong moderation, comment sections can sometimes expose children to cyberbullying, inappropriate messages, or even predatory behavior.
- Weak age checks. There aren’t many barriers to stop kids from watching content meant for adults — age verification is pretty easy to get around.
How to Use Dailymotion Safely in 2025
Here are a few ways to boost your safety on Dailymotion:
1. Set Up Account Protection
Create or update your Dailymotion account with a strong password. Use a unique combination containing letters, numbers, and symbols. Most importantly, never reuse passwords from other sites. I suggest using a password manager to generate and store complex credentials securely. If you use the Dailymotion app, it’s also a good idea to keep it updated.
A complex password is much more difficult for automated tools to brute-force or crack
2. Use a VPN to Protect Your Privacy
A reliable VPN helps safeguard your privacy by encrypting your internet connection and masking your IP address, making it harder for advertisers, trackers, or even your internet provider to monitor your activity on Dailymotion. It also lets you safely access geoblocked content and adds an extra layer of security when using public WiFi or unfamiliar networks.
It also lets you set up parental controls
3. Optimize Your Browser’s Security Settings
Adjust your browser’s privacy and security settings to reduce tracking and protect your data while using Dailymotion. Enable features like blocking third-party cookies, restricting site permissions, and disabling autoplay to limit exposure to intrusive content and third-party tracking.
If you’re using Google Chrome, you can enable Safe Browsing under Privacy and Security to guard against dangerous sites and downloads.
It also warns you about dangerous sites if you accidentally click on a dodgy link
4. Disable AI Training
If you’re a content creator, be sure to activate the Block AI training feature. This stops Dailymotion and its partners from using your videos for training generative AI models. Keep in mind that this setting won’t affect past content.
This stops Dailymotion from sharing your public content and metadata with third parties
We have a range of handy online tools you can use to check your online security before browsing Dailymotion. Here’s where to find them:
Best Dailymotion Alternatives
Several video platforms offer better security features and content moderation than Dailymotion. Here's a comparison of the top alternatives:
YouTube — The Most Popular Video Streaming Platform
YouTube is the largest and most popular video streaming platform, accessible in over 130 countries. It offers a vast collection of videos, live streams, and original content, with around 3.7 million new videos uploaded daily³.
For family safety, YouTube includes restricted modes and parental controls to create a safer viewing experience for children. I especially appreciate the YouTube Kids app, which filters mature content and disables background playback, helping to keep kids focused on appropriate videos.
My main concern, however, is YouTube's aggressive ad targeting and extensive data collection. To address this, I recommend creating a throwaway account to prevent your personal data from being targeted.
Vimeo — A Professional Video Platform Focused on Quality Playback
Vimeo is known for its focus on professional and artistic content, making it perfect for filmmakers, businesses, and creatives. Unlike YouTube, Vimeo has minimal ads, offering a cleaner browsing experience. I also appreciate that many videos are available in 4K at 60FPS, delivering a smooth and high-quality viewing.
The platform has no history of malware incidents, and its ad-free experience is ideal for avoiding unwanted distractions. However, Vimeo’s smaller content library might limit its appeal, especially if you are accustomed to the variety available on platforms like YouTube.
Internet Archive — A Digital Library for Historical Content
The Internet Archive offers a treasure trove of free, non-commercial content, including historical videos, educational materials, and public domain films. As an open-source platform, it has a strong privacy commitment and doesn’t collect extensive data.
Though it doesn’t feature modern content like YouTube, the Internet Archive is a go-to source for those interested in accessing open-source media. What I don’t like about it is its basic interface and variable video quality. That said, it provides an ad-free viewing experience, so it’s a reasonable trade-off.
Odysee — A Decentralized Alternative to Mainstream Platforms
Odysee stands out as a decentralized video platform that gives content creators more control over their videos. It’s a favorite for those who seek freedom from big tech censorship. It operates on the LBRY network, which means creators can monetize content directly through blockchain-based features.
While Odysee strongly emphasizes privacy and minimal tracking, its less moderated content may expose you to more offensive material compared to more heavily regulated platforms. I also didn’t like that its mobile support is limited — the app is pretty barebones.
FAQs on Dailymotion Safety
Is Dailymotion safe to watch movies?
Dailymotion offers adequate safety for movie watching when using proper precautions. The platform features content filtering and copyright protection, but some risks remain from third-party ads and potentially questionable uploads. It's best to use a VPN with an ad blocker to prevent malicious ads and trackers while streaming movies.
Is Dailymotion safe for kids?
Dailymotion requires additional safeguards to be fully child-safe. While it provides basic content filtering, its user-generated nature means that inappropriate videos can still slip through. Combine the platform’s restrictions with parental control software for a safer viewing experience. This combination helps minimize risks and makes it possible for children to watch content with more protection.
Can I use Dailymotion in India?
Yes, Dailymotion is available in India. It was briefly banned in 2014 due to concerns over videos potentially related to ISIS propaganda about Indian rule in Kashmir. However, it was unblocked in January 2015. If you’re having trouble using the site, though, you can always explore Dailymotion alternative platforms.
Is Dailymotion owned by YouTube?
No, Dailymotion is not owned by YouTube. It’s owned by the French media company Canal+ (it was previously owned by Vivendi). That said, Dailymotion collects just as much data as YouTube, so it's important to take precautions before using the service.
Conclusion
Dailymotion is generally safe to use, but like most content platforms, it comes with certain legal and security risks. While it offers privacy features and a few content controls, users should remain cautious about data collection practices and the potential for exposure to malicious content.
To have a safer experience, consider using additional privacy measures and stay informed about regional regulations that may impact access or content.
References:
- https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/blog/hotforsecurity/dailymotion-hack-exposes-87-million-user-accounts
- https://threatpost.com/dailymotion-still-infected-serving-fake-av-malware/104003/#:~:text=More%20than%20three%20weeks%20after,popular%20website%20is%20still%20infected.&text=The%20site%20allows%20users%20to,were%20discovered%20on%20the%20site
- https://techjury.net/video/how-many-videos-are-uploaded-to-youtube-a-day/
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