In recent years, a surge in the popularity of ‘dodgy’ Fire TV Sticks has been observed. These devices, often modified by cybercriminals, provide users with unrestricted access to premium sports and movies at a fraction of the cost of legitimate platforms such as Sky.
Due to the financial strain caused by the cost-of-living crisis, millions of individuals are believed to have transitioned to illegal streaming. However, the days of using a Fire TV Stick to watch the Premier League may be limited.
Amazon has taken a stand against this prevalent trend. The company has announced that it will now block suspected apps that facilitate illegal streaming activities.
An Amazon spokesperson emphasized the illegality of piracy and highlighted the company’s continuous efforts to combat it. Through a partnership with the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), Amazon will proactively block apps identified as enabling access to pirated content, even those acquired from sources outside its Appstore.
When an app is flagged for violating terms, users will receive a notification detailing the reason for its blockage. Consequently, the app will cease to function, denying users access to the content.
While Amazon is not prohibiting the sideloading of applications, authorized streaming services like Disney+, Netflix, and Prime Video will remain accessible. Nonetheless, the crackdown on unauthorized streaming should make it significantly more challenging for individuals to enjoy content without a legitimate subscription.
This proactive measure by Amazon marks a significant development that could potentially eliminate the widespread practice of accessing premium content at reduced or no cost.
Although this action addresses the issue of illegal streaming, the underlying problem of escalating subscription fees remains unaddressed. Analyst Paolo Pescatore commended the move as a necessary step forward but highlighted the broader issue of rising costs being passed on to consumers.
Despite the risks associated with illegal streaming, such as exposure to malware and inappropriate content, previous warnings have not deterred individuals from engaging in unauthorized streaming. The new enforcement by Amazon may finally deter individuals from accessing content without proper payment.