People who own ‘dodgy’ Amazon Fire TV Sticks are now receiving a warning reminding them their viewing habits are, well, dodgy.
The sticks, also called ‘modded’ sticks, see suppliers install unofficial streaming apps, so users can watch costly content for free.
Some 1.5 million adults have illegally streamed in the past six months using jailbroken Amazon Fire TV Sticks, according to a YouGov poll.
Amazon has increasingly cracked down on the knock-off tech, with users now being shown a warning if they’re using an illegal app.
The alert reads: ‘Warning. One or more apps on your device have been identified as using or providing access to unlicensed content, including this app, and will be disabled.
‘To remove this app now, select “Uninstall”.’
Users can, however, simply close the warning and continue watching premium entertainment or channels like Sky Sports for free.
But ‘obtaining services dishonestly’, as the law says, can land someone with up to five years in prison.
People’s days of doing this are numbered – the warnings will soon be replaced by a pop-up saying the blocked app can’t even be used.
Which pirated streaming apps will be blacklisted is unclear, according to AFTVnews. But the ban will be rolled out in Europe before the UK.
Amazon knows if an app is unofficial or not by peeking into its ‘package name’, the software’s unique name that identifies the app.
Yet dodgy Fire Stick sellers have already found a few ways to get around this, including ‘cloning’ services or apps to tweak the name.
Why is Amazon targeting ‘dodgy’ Fire TV Stick users so much now?
David Ingham, head of media, entertainment and sport at tech consultancy Cognizant, told Metro that Amazon has long been reluctant to stop illegal streamers.
‘Many technology companies or social platforms take this stance as they don’t want to be responsible for proactive monitoring,’ Ingham said.
‘Lately, however, we have seen a change in Amazon’s approach to this, with them proactively blocking known piracy applications on the devices.
‘While I don’t have inside information on this, I suspect this is because Amazon has been investing more in sports rights over the years – they are currently in the mix for the new cycle of UEFA Champions League rights – and they may want to be viewed as proactively protecting rights holders value to continue being considered for those auctions.’
Amazon told Metro that the company is working with the anti-piracy group, Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), to identify unofficial apps.
A spokesperson added: ‘This builds on our ongoing efforts to support creators and protect customers, as piracy can also expose users to malware, viruses, and fraud.’
There are other reasons not to use dodgy Fire TV sticks, an expert previously told Metro.
The portable streaming devices are plugged into a TV to facilitate streaming via the internet.
Ethical hacker Rob Shapland said tinkered Fire sticks can make people’s electronic devices vulnerable to malware and hacking.
Shapland said: ”People assume that because their friend bought one, there’s no downside.
‘By buying one of these devices, you risk downloading malware onto your phone or laptop – you’re doing hackers’ jobs for them.’
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