Cracking down on the dodgy Amazon Fire TV Stick could lead to home raids

Amazon Fire TV Stick users have been warned of a potential £50,000 fine as a crackdown on illegal streaming makes home raids “inevitable”.

High-profile raids on illegal operations are carried out as authorities across the UK, including the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU), work tirelessly to tackle crime. The fight against digital piracy has intensified since the passing of the Digital Economy Act in 2017, which gave UK law enforcement more robust tools to aggressively track and prosecute those involved.

In the UK, illegal streaming is an offense under copyright law. Those found guilty face heavy fines and prison terms of up to ten years. People who distribute illegal streams face fines of more than £50,000, the Mirror reports.

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While viewers who use illegal streaming services usually face lower fines, they can be fined up to several thousand pounds. Additionally, they were warned about the cyber risks associated with using unauthorized streaming websites.

These sites often host malware and other cyber threats that can compromise personal data and damage devices. The security risks associated with illegal streaming are significant, often leading to data theft or serious hardware problems for unsuspecting users.

Alex Hemming, a sports analyst at Free Bets Ireland issued a stark warning. He said: “The risks associated with illegal sports streaming in the UK are significant and multi-faceted.

“The potential for large fines, prosecution and compromise of personal data makes illegal streaming a risky endeavour. With more legitimate streaming options than ever before, choosing to watch sports through official channels is not only the legal choice, it’s the smartest choice.”

This comes amid the increased popularity of modified Fire TV Sticks, offering access to premium TV channels including Sky Sports and Cinema, but at an attractive price cut. This has led criminals to capitalize on this trend by selling these “fully charged” Fire TV Sticks either as a one-time purchase or in exchange for nominal monthly payments.

Even though it turned into a profitable sector, it did not escape the attention of the authorities, and the police in Great Britain began to crack down on such sellers. A series of raids were carried out across the country which led to the arrest of one individual while ten others were questioned under caution.

These operations were carried out in partnership with FACT and the Premier League, and their collective aim was to put an end to illegal streaming. Although the people using these devices were not targeted in these efforts, the risk of using tampered technological equipment presents certain dangers, a fact that the police highlighted.

Chief Inspector Emma Warbey, from the City of London Police’s Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU), said: “Illegal streaming is a huge problem for the industry and although it may seem like a low-risk, high-reward crime raised, Proceeds are used to finance other serious forms of criminal activity. At the same time, it can expose end users to the risks of data theft, fraud and malware.

“By targeting grassroots sellers, we are sending a clear message that this will not be tolerated. PIPCU will continue to work with law enforcement and industry partners to crack down on those who offer illegal streaming services and protect consumers from the associated risks. with their use”.

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