Police across the UK have been working to crack down on those who use illegal streaming services, with a particular focus on ‘dodgy’ Fire TV sticks
Brits are being urged to steer clear of ‘dodgy’ Fire TV sticks, following a crackdown on illegal streaming. FACT, alongside police forces, has issued cease-and-desist orders to 30 suppliers, threatening prosecution if the illicit activities don’t stop.
Originally created by Amazon for accessing services like Prime Video and Netflix, these devices have been hijacked by criminals who modify them to offer free access to paid streaming content. FACT CEO Kieron Sharp delivered a stark warning about the legal risks, stating: “Our cease-and-desist measures are not just warnings – they are the first step toward holding offenders accountable.
“Many who ignored these notices in the past are now facing arrest and criminal charges. We strongly advise anyone involved in these activities to stop immediately.”
He further cautioned: “If you’re supplying or using illicit streaming devices or illegal IPTV subscriptions, take this as a clear warning: you are breaking the law and risk facing serious consequences. We will continue working with police to track down and shut down these illegal operations.”
“The police across the UK have been unstinting in their efforts to tackle this criminality and we are grateful for their assistance. To those using illegal streaming services, the message is that you’re not just committing a crime; you are putting yourself at risk,” reports the Manchester Evening News.
He added: “These services often expose users to malware, scams, and data theft, with no recourse when things go wrong. The safest, smartest and only choice is to stick to legitimate providers for your entertainment.”
A two-week crackdown led by FACT has begun, targeting piracy operations, particularly in 13 major areas across the UK. As part of the operation, a 42-year-old man was arrested in Newport on suspicion of being involved in illegal IPTV operations, including the sale of illicit Fire sticks.
The key areas facing the crackdown include:
- London
- Kent
- Sussex
- Norfolk
- Northamptonshire
- Lincolnshire
- Staffordshire
- East and West Midlands
- Greater Manchester
- Cheshire
- Merseyside
- Northumbria
- North Yorkshire