Authorities have warned people who use modified Amazon Fire Stick devices they could face fines reaching £50,000 and up to 12 months in prison as a crackdown intensifies
Police forces and anti-fraud units have been ramping up their crackdown on users of modified Amazon Fire Stick devices across multiple areas of the UK, including the North East. These tampered Amazon Fire Sticks are doctored versions that allow users to access premium television content without paying subscription costs, and they have been spreading into homes across the country.
Fire Sticks are digital streaming devices that enable users to view videos, play music, and install apps on their televisions. Criminal networks manipulate these gadgets to provide illegal access to exclusive content from major broadcasters such as Sky, BT Sport, Disney+ and Netflix.
Amazon’s latest Fire Stick model is creating substantial obstacles for those trying to illegally stream content, reports Chronicle Live. The newest Fire TV Stick was released just months ago, coinciding with Amazon’s worldwide anti-piracy initiative.
A spokesperson from National Trading Standards has previously warned: “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. It also puts consumers at risk by exposing them to illegal software that can put their data and bank details in jeopardy. An important reminder to all those who buy and sell TV firesticks is that crime does not pay, it breaches copyright law and we encourage people to report suspected cases to the Citizens Advice consumer service.”
It is estimated that nearly five million people across the UK have used illegal sports streaming services,…