UK government has warning to anyone using a ‘dodgy’ fire stick

The UK government has issued a warning to 'dodgy' fire stick users as the crackdown on suppliers continues.

Amid rising costs of subscription services, an increasing number of people across the UK have turned to illegal means of getting their TV fix, with football fans in particular seeking out a way of enjoying the matches without paying for multiple different channels.

Naturally, big companies such as Sky Sports are hardly going to be happy when people are accessing their content for free, and they have teamed up with police forces across the UK to try and bring suppliers to justice, with hefty jail sentences handed out to those found guilty.

However, more steps are now being taken to prevent users from accessing the content through the 'dodgy' fire sticks, with changes made by Amazon while police have warned about the potential for significant fines for anyone who is discovered to be mis-using the technology.

Fire Sticks are commonly used as a way of accessing illegal streams (Getty Stock)

The UK government also has some strong-worded advice for the several reasons why people should be avoiding illicit streaming devices.

It states: "These devices often lack parental controls. Using them could expose children or young people to explicit or age inappropriate content.

"Another important reason for consumers to avoid purchasing these streaming devices is from an electrical safety point of view. Where devices and their power cables have been tested, some have failed EU safety standards and have the potential to present a real danger to the public, causing a fire in your home or premises.

"The creative industries in the UK is a very important sector. It provides employment for more than 1.9 million people and contributes £84.1 billion to our economy. Using illicit streaming devices is illegal. If you are not paying for this content you are depriving industry of the revenue it needs to fund the next generation of TV programmes, films and sporting events we all enjoy. Instead it provides funds for the organised criminals who sell or adapt these illicit devices."

Football fans in particular have been left frustrated with rising prices (Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

So, while the vast majority of the country are in agreement that it's morally acceptable to watch streams illegally, they might have more issues with it when they learn about the potential risks of inappropriate content and fires, as well as the money it takes away from the UK economy.

Recently, police have made arrests in Manchester and Liverpool as they look to bring an end to illegal streaming in the UK, with the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) also playing a significant role in legal proceedings.

FACT chairman Kieron Sharp said: "These arrests reflect the results of our intelligence-led investigations and the strength of our partnerships with UK law enforcement.

"By sharing intelligence and coordinating action across multiple regions, we are effectively dismantling the supply networks that sit behind illegal streaming.

"It may appear harmless, but illegal streaming fuels organised crime and puts viewers at real risk, from scams and malware to data theft."