The crackdown on streaming content illegally continues to intensify with one seller of so-called ‘dodgy’ Fire TV Sticks feeling the full wrath of the law.
It’s just got a little bit harder to gain access to Sky streams without paying the usual price. Watching illegally through so-called ‘dodgy’ Fire TV Sticks, has boomed in popularity over recent years and it’s not hard to see why. Most suppliers of these devices charge a much lower fee than going through official channels – some content can even be watched for free.
Millions of UK homes are now thought to be tuning in via these services, but things are getting tougher due to ongoing crackdowns. Just last month, police raided several properties and shut down numerous illegal streaming operations.
Now there’s another blow to those who don’t want to pay for access to Sky, Netflix, Disney+ and more.
One seller of Fire TV Sticks – named Sunny Kumar Kanda, from Halifax – has just been handed a two-year prison sentence for selling dodgy devices over an 18-month period.
The business called ‘KD Media’ sold adapted Fire Sticks via Facebook which could then be used to tune into premium movies, sports and TV shows.
Having cheated legitimate providers out of over £108,000, Kanda was finally caught after an undercover investigator from the team at FACT made a test purchase of the advertised Fire Stick.
After analysis, it was uncovered that the Fire Stick had been modified to provide unauthorised access to premium film, television, and live sports content using applications called The Vodfather XC and Plex.
With Kanda’s operation now closed down it will mean less homes getting access to unofficial streams.
“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,” A spokesperson for National Trading Standards said:
“It also puts consumers at risk by exposing them to illegal software that can put their data and bank details in jeopardy.
“Today’s sentence is an important reminder to all those who buy and sell TV firesticks that crime does not pay – it breaches copyright law and we encourage people to report suspected cases to the Citizens Advice consumer service.”
And Kieron Sharp, CEO, FACT, added: “We are grateful for the strong partnership between FACT, City of York Council, North Yorkshire Council and the National Trading Standards eCrime Team. This collaboration was crucial in securing the evidence needed to hold the offender accountable.
“Illegal streaming isn’t a victimless crime. It weakens the creative industries, puts consumers at risk of data theft and often funds other serious crimes.
“The outcome serves as both a consequence for those involved in these criminal activities and as a strong warning to others considering similar action.”
