Fire Stick Owners Urged to Hand In Their Old Devices Amid New Police Raids
The crackdown on 'dodgy' Fire TV Sticks continues to gather pace, with police and anti-fraud teams stepping up efforts to tackle illegal streaming of sport.
It follows the news that pop-up warnings have started to appear on screen if someone is using a device that has been tampered with.
Police and anti-fraud authorities are urging people to stop watching premium content including live sport through illegal devices.
Amazon has launched a trade-in offer for anyone to swap their old devices for a hefty discount on the new model - dodgy or otherwise, if you fancy an upgrade of your regular one it still counts.
You can bag a 20 percent discount off a new device by trading in your old one, meaning you could get the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus and save a whopping £11.99.
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus
£59.99
£47.99 with trade-in
One reviewer who successfully traded in their old tech has shared their happiness online.
“I got this after I staring having issues with my previous Fire TV Stick 4K Max. That device would freeze and sometime just stop responding (maybe planned obsolescence?) making it very frustrating to use,” they wrote.
“I can say this new stick is much more responsive than the device it was replacing. I have a WiFi router in the same room so I do not get any buffering.”
Risks of using 'jailbroken' Fire Sticks
There's an estimated five million 'jailbroken' Fire Sticks in circulation in the UK.
The latest step in tackling illegal sport streaming means viewers will see a warning if they try to access premium content they haven't paid for.
It has made it very 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.
Doing this then allowed them to access media they otherwise wouldn't without paying.
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’.”
A National Trading Standards representative stressed: "Accessing pirated content through illegal TV fire sticks undermines the UK's entertainment industry, putting its talented workforce and supply chains at risk by depriving them of fair earnings and revenue.
"It also puts consumers at risk by exposing them to illegal software that can put their data and bank details in jeopardy. An important reminder to all those who buy and sell TV firesticks is that crime does not pay, it breaches copyright law and we encourage people to report suspected cases to the Citizens Advice consumer service."
The police have also got involved.
Detective Chief Inspector Emma Warbey, from the City of London Police's Intellectual Property Crime Unit, warned: "Illegal streaming might look like a quick way to save money, but as this research shows, it's a false economy that can end up costing people thousands.
"This is a crime that diverts funds away from the entertainment industries, money that supports thousands of technical and support staff. At the same time, it exposes end users to the risks of data theft, cybercrime and fraud. This research is crucial for helping us understand those dangers and why initiatives like BeStreamWise matter.
"They give the public the tools and knowledge to stay safe online and enjoy content legally and securely. We will continue to work collaboratively to ensure that this activity is disrupted and those involved are held to account."
What are the potential punishments?
Those caught illegally streaming sport face fines of thousands of pounds, plus potential jail sentences of up to 12 months.
Individuals found selling illegal devices face harsher punishments, including lengthier sentences.
Kieron Sharp, chairman of FACT, said: "Together with our partners we will continue to identify and take action against Illegal IPTV service providers. They are breaking the law, making criminal profits and putting consumers at real risk of malware, data loss and identity theft.
"We want to protect consumers from these risks and operations such as this ensure the message goes out. It is not scaremongering; these are real criminal actions which consumers and their families are exposed to. These investigations and operations will continue this new year."
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus
£59.99
£47.99 with trade-in
Topics: Football
Jen Thomas