What will happen if you get caught using a 'dodgy fire stick' to illegally stream content

As police in the UK continue to crackdown on the people and organisations providing illegal streaming services, many people have been left wondering what the potential implications are for those who consume the content.

Much of the focus has been on the use of so-called 'dodgy fire sticks,' on which some people are streaming paid-for content and sports channels without legal permission via illegal third-party apps.

Amazon has since taken action to try and prevent people from using their devices to access these apps, by blocking users from being able to side-load apps on to the new models. This means anyone who updates their device or purchases a Fire TV Stick 4K Select will only be able to download apps through the official Amazon store.

In the meantime, hundreds of thousands of Brits are believed to already be using the devices for illegal purposes. But with law enforcement chasing the people providing these illegal services, are there any repercussions for those consuming it?

It is illegal to stream paid-for content on a so-called 'dodgy fire stick' (Getty Stock Images)

Is it illegal to use a 'dodgy fire stick'?

Using a Fire TV Stick is perfectly legal, but it is illegal to use the device to access content you have not paid for and that is not authorised by whoever owns the rights to it.

Therefore, downloading apps that allow you to stream paid-for content, such as sports channels or films, violates section 11 of the Fraud Act 2006, which refers to 'obtaining services dishonestly,' including 'knowing the services are made available on the basis that payment has been, is being or will be made for or in respect of them or that they might be; and avoids or intends to avoid payment in full or in part'.

While it might seem harmless to most, Kieron Sharp, CEO of the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT UK), has warned that anyone buying into these illegal services is likely 'funding serious organised crime groups,' as well as putting themselves at risk of 'malware, data compromise, and identity theft.'

You could be found guilty of breaching section 11 of the Fraud Act 2006 (Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

On top of that, if you get caught breaking the law, in theory it could even go as far as landing you in prison. Falling foul of section 11 means you could get up to 12 months in prison for a summary conviction or even a maximum of five years for offences deemed most serious.

While there aren't any known cases of people being charged simply for streaming content, police are cracking down on the people selling the modified devices, with one man from Liverpool being sentenced to three years and four months in prison.

“FACT’s enforcement activities against illegal streaming are ongoing throughout the year. Together with our partners and the police, we constantly review new intelligence and target those areas of the UK and Ireland where the data shows that illegal streaming activity is taking place," a spokesperson for FACT told LADbible.

"Our investigations are thorough, and we are relentless in our determination to stop illegal streaming and bring offenders to justice. To avoid jeopardising operations that are in progress, we do not share details publicly until enforcement action has been completed.”