Police and anti-fraud investigators are conducting home visits across 17 areas in the UK targeting users of modified Amazon Fire Sticks. The Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) is leading the operation alongside the Premier League, Sky, and law enforcement. The affected regions include London, Kent, Sussex, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, the East and West Midlands, Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Merseyside, Northumbria, North Yorkshire, South Wales, and North East and North West England.
Enforcement action targets users
FACT is issuing 'Cease and Desist' letters and conducting 'Knock and Talk' visits. Law enforcement undertakes these home visits with FACT to "serve to inform individuals about their activities and the immediate need to cease and desist or face further action or prosecution".
The crackdown comes after a supplier received a two-year prison sentence earlier this year for selling an illegally modified device. FACT states that penalties can reach up to £50,000 for those using jailbroken Fire Sticks to stream Sky and Premier League content without payment.
Amazon blocks unauthorized apps
Amazon is responding with technical measures. The company released the new Fire TV Stick 4K Select featuring Vega OS, which blocks sideloading of third-party apps. Only apps from the Amazon Appstore will function on the device, preventing users from installing software that enables unauthorized access to premium channels.
An Amazon spokesperson said piracy is illegal and confirmed the company will now block apps providing access to pirated content, even apps that users download from outside their Appstore, to protect creators and customers from malware, viruses, and fraud.
Authorities warn consumers of risks
National Trading Standards warned that "Accessing pirated content through illegal TV fire sticks undermines the UK's entertainment industry, putting its talented workforce and supply chains at risk by depriving them of fair earnings and revenue". The organization added "It also puts consumers at risk by exposing them to illegal software that can put their data and bank details in jeopardy".
Detective Chief Inspector Emma Warbey from the City of London Police's Intellectual Property Crime Unit cautioned: "Illegal streaming might look like a quick way to save money, but as this research shows, it's a false economy that can end up costing people thousands."
FACT chairman Kieron Sharp committed to continued action: "Together with our partners we will continue to identify and take action against Illegal Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) service providers. They are breaking the law, making criminal profits and putting consumers at real risk of malware, data loss and identity theft."
Nearly five million people in the UK access illegal sports content. The operations will continue into the new year.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
