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Warning issued to people using Amazon Fire Sticks illegally following ‘significant increase’ in number of reports

Warning issued to people using Amazon Fire Sticks illegally following ‘significant increase’ in number of reports

Some people use modified Amazon Fire Sticks to stream TV shows and watch live sports illegally.

Popularity in Amazon Fire Sticks has grown exponentially in recent years - and you can see why, as it lets you watch all your favorite TV shows and movies in one handy place.

However, a stark warning has been issued to people using the device illegally to stream premium content on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Sky Sports and more.

Officials are launching a crackdown on those using a modified or hacked Fire Stick to watch content which would usually require a fee or subscription.

A warning has been issued to those who illegally stream TV using Amazon Fire Sticks.
John Rensten / Getty

Using these devices to watch the newest show on Amazon Prime or to livestream a game on Sky Sports could land you in court for breaching copyright law.

The Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT UK) is now sending out cease and desist letters to the streamers in question and officers are turning up at the households of those suspected to be watching content illegally.

If that's not enough of a deterrent, it's also thought that using illegal streaming devices could put your personal data at risk.

It comes as FACT has revealed a “significant increase” in the number of reports of people watching content illegally over the last 12 months. This could be due to more ordinary people whistleblowing, and reporting those they know to be illegally streaming.

A spokesperson for FACT UK said it “constantly monitors the digital landscape” in order to combat illegal streaming activities.

“We utilize a range of methods to identify individuals engaged in unauthorized businesses that offer access to illegal streams,” they said.

"One of these methods is through our partnership with Crimestoppers to make it as easy as possible to report illegal streaming, and over the past year, we have seen a significant increase in the number of reports directly linked to Fire Sticks and illegal streaming.

"These reports are then investigated by our Intelligence Unit, and followed up with a rolling programme of action which includes issuing 'Cease and Desist' letters and conducting nationwide 'Knock and Talks'.

Illegally streaming premium content could be breaking copyright law.
DuKai photographer / Getty

"These home visits, undertaken in conjunction with law enforcement, serve to inform individuals about their activities and the immediate need to cease and desist or face further action or prosecution.

"We also work in close collaboration with law enforcement to gather further evidence to actively pursue legal actions against these criminal entities."

According to a survey from data platform Dynata, almost half (49%) of respondents in the UK who illegally stream said they or someone they know have been victim of scams, ID theft, fraud or data loss as a result.

FACT says: "The problem is that these risks are hidden from view. Illegal streaming and download services are designed to look professional and very similar to legitimate sites. And you may hear from friends that they’re fine to use and that no one ever gets a virus or hacked. But that’s simply not the case."

After all this, if you were any doubt - FACT adds: "It’s often claimed that illegally streaming is a ‘grey area’. It’s not. Anyone selling, distributing or allowing access to content without the permission of the copyright owner is committing a crime. But what you need to know is that anyone who is accessing content in this way is also committing a crime."

Prices for Amazon Fire Sticks range between around £35 and £70.

Amazon has been contacted for comment.

Featured Image Credit: @‌310sigu004/X / NurPhoto / Contributor / Getty