Customers who have jailbroken Amazon Fire TV Stick devices have gotten a strong new warning about such acts, as authorities continue to push forward in their efforts to address the issue, with the police now taking additional action.
It’s widely established that many people across the country buy illegal Fire Stick devices to avoid paying for controversially priced subscription packages from Sky Sports and TNT Sports.
The ability to stream live sporting events using chipped software, which frequently works out much cheaper than a £30 monthly Sky Sports subscription, is a key component of this illegal business.
Indeed, a significant number of ‘dodgy’ Fire Stick owners will also be EFL fans, given the gadgets frequently allow users to escape the 3pm transmission blackout on Saturday afternoons, making it much easier to see their club in action.
Many people are significantly more willing to pay between £30 and £100 for an illegal gadget than for a legitimate subscription package, which irritates the authorities.
Finally, it’s against the law, and in recent years, major broadcasters and authorities have joined forces to combat the growing popularity of jailbroken Fire Stick devices.
Those found guilty of infiltrating devices with illegal software for distribution and monetary gain face jail time, but it’s not just the sellers who can end up in trouble, and a new warning has been issued to anyone thinking about purchasing a pirated Fire Stick.
New warning sent to ‘dodgy’ Fire Stick users incorporating a new police strategy.
Over the previous few years, the police have tried a variety of ways to combat illicit broadcasting distribution and consumption, but they are now shifting their strategy, demonstrating how serious the problem is.
Ex-detective Ray Wilding recently appeared on the BBC’s Morning Live broadcast to explain a new tactic by the authorities that will boost their chances of taking action against both users and distributors.
Wilding revealed that investigators have decided to start tracing the information found in sellers’ bank accounts, which will reveal exactly who has been purchasing ‘dodgy’ Fire Stick gadgets.
He explained: “They’re targeting the distributors. They’re targeting the sellers and are having a lot of success.
https://www.instagram.com/bbcmorninglive/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=A3G4X90eA7Or6CTFDIhCAFY
“However, once they have the seller, they go through their accounts. They’re looking to see who has been paying for these unlawful items, and if they’ve been paying for these sticks, individuals should be prepared for a talk or two if the cops want to know why.
“It’s a crime. It’s not allowed. Owning the stick is not illegal, but using it for this purpose is.”
“They (subscription service providers) are losing money to this, so they have been reaching out and are taking action against those people using them illegally as well.”
The consequences that ‘dodgy’ Fire Stick users may face
Much of the authorities’ efforts have focused on identifying the source of the problem and arresting persons who are hijacking machines and distributing unlawful software to the public, resulting in jail sentences.
They’re now growing more interested in those who knowingly support the criminal sector by purchasing such gadgets, and even purchasing a ‘dodgy’ Fire Stick can land you in serious trouble.
Wilding cautions against this, stating, “I wouldn’t say it’s something you should do.”It is a criminal, and users and sellers of these items may face a hefty fine, a prison sentence, or both.”
It has been widely reported that anyone found guilty of distributing or simply watching illegally-streamed software will face penalties as high as a £50,000 fine, and this new type of action will make it much easier to track down consumers.
The authorities continue to plan action against individuals accessing unlawful Fire Stick devices.
The most serious legal action will, of course, be taken against those who chip and distribute ‘dodgy’ Fire Sticks in the first place, but it’s evident that the authorities are more determined than ever to crack down on users, and this is just the latest effort.
That’s because, earlier this year, the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) announced that it had contacted over a thousand people in the UK, warning them to ‘immediately cease using illegal TV streaming services’ in order to avoid prosecution under Section 11 of the Fraud Act 2006.
The FACT campaign stressed that users are not anonymous, with chairman Kieron Sharp earlier warning individuals of “potential criminal liability” and “exposure to scams, viruses, and harmful content.”
Meanwhile, a court order issued in March required Revolut to submit the identities and addresses of more than 300 ‘dodgy’ Fire Stick customers to Sky, which has joined forces with the police in an effort to bring both dealers and consumers to justice.
The legal consequences of possessing a jailbroken streaming gadget are only increasing, and the recent warning may simply act as a timely reminder for some.
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