But you connect to a public server and when issuing a download command there, it will usually be logged in the chat log in some way.
So, the server has your IP address, the XDCC bot which sends you the actual file has your IP address, your IP address usually gets (publicly) logged in the chat when connecting to the server/room and sometimes even the file transfers get logged publicly.
It's not a very private system, but AFAIK nobody has ever gotten in any trouble for downloading from IRC.
Legality aside (fuck the feds and big tech). Yea it’s direct downloading. Not p2p. (I’m like 90% sure) I’ve never used them to dl because of using private trackers.
Also pretty sure courts in America set presidency that a downloaded of illegal files (copyright stuff) isn’t liable.
Trust me none of the big companies kind stealing, at Amazon the fines and settlements were just the cost of doing businesses. Bet your ass they would go after you if you did the same thing however.