A new crackdown on illegal use of Amazon Fire TV Sticks has begun, with authorities conducting home visits in 14 counties across England. Organizations such as the Premier League, Sky, and the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) are working closely with law enforcement to stop the unauthorized side-loading of streaming devices.
FACT has launched a campaign that includes issuing ‘Cease and Desist’ letters and executing nationwide ‘Knock and Talk’ visits. These visits aim to inform individuals of the illegal nature of their activities and warn them to stop immediately or face potential prosecution.
A spokesperson from National Trading Standards emphasized the impact of illegal streaming, stating, “Accessing pirated content through illegal TV fire sticks undermines the UK’s entertainment industry. It threatens the jobs of talented professionals and disrupts supply chains by depriving them of fair earnings. It also endangers consumers by exposing them to illegal software that could compromise personal data and banking information.”
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Detective Chief Inspector Emma Warbey of the City of London Police’s Intellectual Property Crime Unit added: “Though illegal streaming might seem like a way to save money, it is a false economy that can lead to substantial financial loss. This crime drains funds from the entertainment industry, putting thousands of jobs at risk, while also exposing end users to cybercrime, data theft, and fraud. Initiatives like BeStreamWise play a vital role in educating the public to enjoy content legally and securely.”
Kieron Sharp, Chairman of FACT, confirmed their commitment to ongoing enforcement: “Together with our partners, we will continue to target illegal IPTV service providers. These criminals make unlawful profits while putting consumers at risk of malware, data loss, and identity theft. Our operations seek to protect the public by spreading awareness that these are real criminal actions with serious consequences. Investigations and enforcement activities will persist into the new year.”
Counties currently involved in the crackdown include London, Kent, Sussex, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, West Midlands, Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Merseyside, Northumbria, and North Yorkshire.