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It's bad news if you've been watching the latest box set, must-see movie or streaming live sports with a knock-off Fire Stick.
Amazon is clamping down on pirated content and illegal streaming with a new update hitting users this week - and many users have started to see warnings on-screen if they're using a 'dodgy' device, as part of the latest crackdown.
Get £34 off the newest Fire TV Stick 4K Select
Time to upgrade your Fire Stick? Amazon is offering a trade-in discount of 20% and a gift card to anyone who swaps their old device for a new one.
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£49.99
£19.99 (or £15.99 with trade-in)
What is the new Fire Stick update and why is it happening?
When an app that has been linked to pirated content is loaded up, many users have reported seeing a warning which says the app software has been flagged.
The message 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’.”
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As it stands, Fire Stick users can choose to ignore the warning and still open the app if they wish, however the warning advises the watcher that Amazon has detected the illicit activity.
The new ban being rolled out will eventually see Amazon blocking any unofficial apps.
Some of these apps have been allowing people to circumvent subscriptions or content purchase fees, and has allowed the user to access pirated or illegal content.
An Amazon spokesperson told The Mirror “Piracy is illegal, and we’ve always worked to block it from our Appstore. Through an expanded program led by the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), a global coalition fighting digital piracy, we’ll now block apps identified as providing access to pirated content — including those installed from outside our Appstore.”
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It follows AFTVnews reporting that a pop-up warning is showing up on screens for anyone loading one of these apps on a 'dodgy' Fire Stick.
Why is the new ban being enforced?
Paolo Pescatore is a media analyst and told The Mirror the ban is a 'long overdue...step in the right direction', and that rising prices are leading to an increase in pirating.
“Broadcasters are spending more to secure live sports rights and passing these costs onto consumers who can’t afford them, leading to a messy, fragmented experience,” Pescatore said.
What's so good about the 4K Select?
Amazon's discount for trade-in should hopefully sweeten the deal for many people, as you can get an Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select for just £15.99 plus a gift card too.
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The new Fire Stick features 4K streaming and Alexa voice control, meaning you can link it to smart home systems and issue verbal instructions.
One happy customer shared: "Considering the size, this is a great little streaming stick. I found set up to be less than 10 minutes, including software upgrade and installing and logging into my apps."
"Straight off the bat, I instantly noticed how fast fire tv 4K select devices are. Moving through menus is slick with apps loading much faster. The difference in speed is really noticeable from the off," added another.
Get £34 off the newest Fire TV Stick 4K Select
Time to upgrade your Fire Stick? Amazon is offering a trade-in discount of 20% and a gift card to anyone who swaps their old device for a new one.
£49.99
£19.99 (or £15.99 with trade-in)
Topics: Amazon, Technology
Jen Thomas