![\"Amazon](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/SEI_252815951-c8d0.jpg\")
\n\t\tYou wouldn\u2019t steal a car\u2026 (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tYou wouldn\u2019t steal a car\u2026 (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n
Have you been tempted to avoid paying charges for premium content by getting a fire stick sideloaded with illegal streaming apps?<\/p>\n
These \u2018dodgy\u2019 sticks <\/a>have been in the news a lot lately, after a major crackdown began last year to shut down the networks distributing them, as well as those using them at home. <\/p>\n The Federation Against Copyright theft (FACT) said they continue to target anywhere in the UK and Ireland \u2018where the data shows that illegal streaming activity is taking place\u2019. <\/p>\n What are dodgy fire sticks?<\/p>\n The sticks, also called \u2018jailbroken\u2019 or \u2018modded\u2019 sticks<\/a>, involve crooked vendors installing official streaming apps so users can watch for free.<\/p>\n Using these devices, which include USB sticks and other boxes plugged into a TV, is against the Fraud Act and can lead to hefty fines.<\/p>\n Police forces and the anti-piracy body FACT have been seizing the fire sticks and making arrests.<\/p>\n \t\t Amazon has also joined the crackdown \u2013 its new Fire TV Stick 4K Select<\/a> has a key change that makes it harder to turn into a dodgy stick.<\/p>\n A cybersecurity expert told Metro <\/a>that the device no longer uses Android but a new in-house operating system called Vega. Now, apps uploaded on the new device will find it harder to gain permission for things <\/a>like internet connectivity.<\/p>\n The device also does not yet allow the use of VPNs<\/a>, which disguise where internet traffic is coming from, and are a key tool for those using \u2018dodgy\u2019 sticks.<\/p>\n Warnings over their use<\/p>\n It\u2019s not just fear of officers knocking on your door that should make you think twice about illegal streaming.<\/p>\n The apps and websites allowing it are not exactly security conscious and responsible, and any downloads can even bring malware along as an uninvited guest.<\/p>\n Research last week showed that two in five people who used such devices had lost money from being inancially hacked<\/a>, far outweighing the savings of avoiding IP fees, which could be just \u00a313 a month.<\/p>\n Ethical hacker Rob Shapland told Metro: \u2018Information on how to buy dodgy Fire sticks is readily available online \u2013 there has been an increase [in uptake] in this regard.<\/p>\n \u2018People assume that because their friend bought one, there\u2019s no downside.<\/p>\n \u2018By buying one of these devices you risk downloading malware onto your\u00a0phone<\/a>\u00a0or laptop \u2013 you\u2019re doing hackers\u2019 jobs for them.<\/p>\n Where have crackdowns taken place?<\/p>\n A crackdown last year targeted more than 30 suppliers selling them, including a 42-year-old man was arrested in Newport on suspicion of his involvement in selling illicit fire sticks. Others were visited in person and handed cease-and-desist letters.<\/p>\n Kieron Sharp, Chairman of FACT, said: \u2018FACT\u2019s enforcement activities against illegal streaming are ongoing throughout the year.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u2018Together 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.<\/p>\n \t\t \u2018Our 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.\u2019<\/p>\n In November 2024, Jonathan Edge, 29, from Liverpool<\/a>, received a three-year jail term for selling and using illegal fire sticks.<\/p>\n The organisation sent him cease and desist letters but he carried on<\/a>, leading to the Premier League<\/a> taking him to court.<\/p>\n Full list of areas targeted in \u2018dodgy\u2019 Fire Stick raids<\/p>\n London<\/p>\n Kent<\/p>\n Sussex<\/p>\n Norfolk<\/p>\n Northamptonshire<\/p>\n Lincolnshire<\/p>\n Derbyshire<\/p>\n Staffordshire<\/p>\n East and West Midlands<\/p>\n Greater Manchester<\/p>\n Cheshire<\/p>\n Merseyside<\/p>\n Northumbria<\/p>\n North Yorkshire<\/p>\n South Wales<\/p>\n North East England<\/p>\n North West England<\/p>\n The Daily Mail reported<\/a> there is also an \u2018advanced\u2019 crackdown in Scotland. <\/p>\n \t\t\t\tWhat is the law around ‘dodgy’ Fire TV sticks?\t\t\t<\/p>\n Using or distributing \u2018jailbroken\u2019 fire sticks is against the law.<\/p>\n Jailbroken fire sticks have been hacked to allow access to additional apps.<\/p>\n It is against the law to use a jailbroken one to do something illegal with.<\/p>\n For example, if somebody had a \u2018jailbroken\u2019 PlayStation and used it to play pirated video games<\/a>, that would be illegal.\u00a0<\/p>\n This means owners of these fire sticks can download illegal streaming apps and watch content without paying for the subscription services.<\/p>\n People are at risk of a large fine if they do not pay for a TV licence and watch live sports on a \u2018dodgy\u2019 fire stick.<\/p>\n The maximum punishment is a \u00a31,000 fine \u2013 which could reach \u00a32,000 if you live in Guernsey<\/a>.<\/p>\n Owning a normal Fire TV Stick like those provided by Amazon<\/a> is not illegal and is not part of this crackdown.<\/p>\n Chief executive of FACT, Kieron Sharp, said after last year\u2019s raids: \u2018Our cease-and-desist measures are not just warnings\u2014they are the first step toward holding offenders accountable.<\/p>\n \u2018If you\u2019re supplying or using illicit streaming devices or illegal IPTV subscriptions, take this as a clear warning: you are breaking the law and risk facing serious consequences.<\/p>\n \u2018To those using illegal streaming services, the message is that you\u2019re not just committing a crime<\/a>; you are putting yourself at risk. <\/p>\n \u2018These services often expose users to malware, scams, and data theft, with no recourse when things go wrong.\u2019<\/p>\n This is an updated version of an article first published on December 12, 2024. <\/p>\n Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n For more stories like this, check our news page<\/a>.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/SEI_268369588-69a5.jpg\")
\n\t\tUsing a tinkered Fire TV Stick to watch paywalled content is against the law (Picture: AP)<\/p>\n![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/SEI_112012686-be98.jpg\")
\n\t\tExperts have warned that the changes are unlikely to halt the illegal streaming industry (Picture: Shutterstock\/Stock-Asso)<\/p>\n
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