How Amazon will block illegal streaming on Fire Stick devices as major change to close loophole
Amazon have outlined their plans to crack down on those using illegal Fire Stick devices to watch film, TV and sports.
The end of illegal streaming could be upon us, with millions of Brits set to pay the price.
Having a jailbroken or 'dodgy' Fire Stick refers to having a hacked Amazon Fire TV Stick which can get you thousands of channels and programmes which would usually be stuck behind an overpriced paywall.
In theory, it might sound like it's worth the risk in going onto a third-party site and paying a cut-price to watch all the HBO series and Premier League football that your heart desires, but the reality is it could land you in a heap of trouble.
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Getting a modified stick is easier than ever in the age of the internet and social media, but Amazon have finally taken extra precautions to prevent the black market from growing.
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Just last week, the American tech company announced its new Fire TV Stick 4K Select to consumers, which will operate on an in-house Amazon system named Vega, a change from old Android operating systems.
It means that hackers will find it difficult or impossible to add 'sideloaded' apps onto the devices - which is when someone uploads software onto the device that isn't on the official app store, allowed them to access media for a lot less.
Sideloading is still possible, but this new OS may stop it from being more commonplace as experts have said that hackers may just switch to non-Amazon devices to continue their underground dealings.
It's been said that Amazon will disable 'piracy' apps which were sideloaded, with a warning appearing on screen reading 'This app has been disabled because it can put your device or personal data at risk', report TorrentFreak.
They'll describe the apps as 'potentially harmful' instead of illegal, with updates to Fire OS set to outline some new rules for users.
With Vega OS though, it'll mean that any 'APK files' (Android app packages), won't work, with developers needing to rebuild their apps for the new software, report StreamDiag.
It's believed that users can still sideload apps through developer tools such as Android Debug Bridge, or through new versions of blocked apps with new names on older sticks.
Fire Stick models pre-2024 are believed to be more susceptible to this tampering.
Apps on the Amazon Appstore will be approved and distributed to users, which gives the company full control and in theory, stopping sideloading from being as prominent.
It's believed that the new software will include app verification, much like Apple's existing iOS model, with unauthorised apps failing to launch.
According to FT, Old Fire Sticks will remain open somewhat, allowing piracy to continue, with it unclear on when Amazon will disable old operating systems from working on older models.
Topics: Amazon, Crime, TV and Film, Technology, UK News
Joshua Nair