Illegal Fire Stick users receiving text and email warnings after police seize personal details
People using illegal Fire Stick devices to stream content have been reportedly receiving messages to warn them of their unlawful activities.
The 'dodgy fire sticks' have been used for years by people who want to bypass paywalls and subscription services.
This is likely why there have been talks of some legal punishments in the pipeline after a new update to the Fire Stick was rolled out in a bid to stop illegal streaming.
The ‘two-step' plan has meant that, since the update, users may have been getting a pop-up when they've been using certain apps.
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This initial warning appeared on the device, where the alert says: "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'.”
The second step is supposedly to block users completely from app services on the stick, making it a useless USB in the end.
But now, people are reportedly receiving texts and emails that are warning them about their usage after police were able to access the customer contact details of more than 1,000 UK streamers.
The police obtained the information during investigations into individuals suspected of operating illegal TV streaming services.
According to The Mirror, the streamers were sent a ‘cease and desist’ message by the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT).
FACT chairman Kieron Sharp said: “This campaign makes it clear that end users of illegal streaming services are breaking the law.
"The risks are real, from potential criminal liability to exposure to scams, viruses, and harmful content. We urge people to protect themselves and their families by only using legitimate providers."
The Intellectual Property Office estimates that 6.2 million British people access illegally streamed TV, and FACT states that they could be prosecuted for criminal offences under Section 11 of the Fraud Act 2006.
Detective Sergeant Adam Dagnall of Merseyside Police’s Cybercrime Unit said of the ongoing investigation: "Merseyside Police takes illegal streaming seriously because it often helps fund organised crime and puts users at real risk.
"Not only is it a criminal offence, but the unauthorised streaming services frequently contain malware that can compromise personal devices and lead to the loss of information such as banking details, or be used to commit identity fraud.
"Legitimate providers have security measures that protect users from these threats. Please don’t be tempted by cheap so-called ‘fully loaded’ or ‘jailbroken’ devices, even as Christmas gifts – you could end up getting more than you bargained for."
Since Amazon have been aware of the issue, a spokesperson for Amazon previously 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."
LADbible has contacted the Federation Against Copyright Theft and Amazon for comment.
Britt Jones