The file-sharing company BitTorrent has hit back at claims of piracy saying it "doesn't host infringing content".

It is after the series finale of Game of Thrones, shown on Sky Atlantic in the UK, was reported to have been the most popular illegal torrent ever.

The final episode of the third season of HBO's fantasy drama was reportedly downloaded a million times in 24 hours.

BitTorrent is a technology used to share large amounts of data between many users.

Torrent files are often used to download pirated music, movies, and games but the company responsible for the technology says it wants to focus on promoting legal content.

In a blog post on BitTorrent's website, vice president of marketing Matt Mason wrote: "We don't host infringing content. We don't point to it.

"It's literally impossible to illegally download something on BitTorrent.

"To pirate stuff, you need more than a protocol. You need search, a pirate content site and a content manager. We offer none of those things.

"If you're using BitTorrent for piracy, you're doing it wrong."

BBC News