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The decision to cut off the ability to sideload applications on the newest Fire TV Stick models is a "welcome step in tackling the growing threat of illegal streaming apps," FACT Chairman Kieron Sharp has told GB News.
A former senior City of London Police detective and head of the economic crime team at Interpol, Mr Sharp lead the anti-piracy watchdog for 18 years before taking on the role as Chairman last year, so knows a lot about the difficulties policing illicit streaming on so-called 'dodgy Fire TV Sticks' running unapproved software.
Fire TV Sticks, built and distributed by Amazon, have long been a popular and affordable way to bring games, social media apps, and streaming services like Disney+, Netflix, Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and ITVX to any television with an HDMI port. The lightweight hardware supports chatty AI assistant Alexa, which can control smart lighting, internet-connected thermostats, Ring video doorbells, and other smart home devices.
But there is a dark side to these low-cost streaming devices.
Criminals can repurpose these devices, sideloading illicit streaming services that aren't listed in the official Amazon App Store to unlock free streams of paid-for sport fixtures, blockbusters, or boxsets. Some of these services are free to watch, while others require a small monthly fee sent via PayPal directly to the criminals.
Although the custom-designed FireOS that powers these popular devices looks completely different to a Google Chromecast, underneath all of the graphics, it's still powered by the same Android codebase.
Fire TV Sticks that have been "jailbroken" — i.e. had the restrictions usually put in place by Amazon to restrict software download to the approved apps in the App Store stripped away, so unauthorised software and streaming services can be run — were often sold online as "full loaded" or "dodgy" to denote the ability to watch copyrighted material at a fraction of the cost. While the hardware used by criminals wasn't always from the Fire TV lineup, it happened often enough that the brand became associated with this activity more than some of its closest rivals, like Roku or Google TV Streamer, for example.
With the launch of its affordable new Fire TV Stick 4K Select, Amazon has taken action.
Fire TV Stick 4K Select launched last month at £49.99. It's the first device in Amazon's Fire TV portfolio to run its new Vega OS operating system, which it eventually hopes to roll out across its Echo Show and Fire tablets, to name just a few
| AMAZON PRESS OFFICE | GBNThis is the first streaming device to run on the new Vega OS operating system, eliminating the need for Android after more than a decade of using it in its models.
Without Android powering this device, it can't run sideloaded Android apps that have been responsible for fueling illegal IPTV streaming. Illegal IPTV streaming, which is the unauthorised delivery of unwanted content, has been a rising issue in the UK for years. Recently, hundreds of dodgy streaming sites were blocked for everyone in the UK.
So, how does Vega OS make this Fire TV Stick different?
All prior Fire TV Stick models ran Fire OS, which is an operating system based on Android. However, Vega OS uses Linux, which is a completely different system. The switch has allowed Amazon more control over the operating system, which it says has enabled smoother performance from less powerful chipsets.
"Vega is a new operating system built specifically for our devices. It’s highly responsive with an efficient footprint, enabling fast app launches and smooth navigation. Our new Echo devices also run on Vega," Amazon explains on its developer website.
"We adopted Linux components as our foundation. We built Vega to be scalable across a variety of devices, from small footprint devices, like a Fire TV Stick, to our most advanced devices with on-device AI processing, like our Echo Show."
Plug the Fire TV Stick 4K Select into your telly and it might not seem like much has changed compared with earlier iterations of the Fire TV Stick lineup, but under the bonnet, this gadget is running an entirely new operating system based on Linux
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But the break with previous Fire TV Stick devices means that Vegas OS apps completely different from Android apps, making them incompatible. This means that you can't download any apps powered by Android, and there's no option to download apps outside of Amazon's official store.
With Vega OS, Amazon has a much tighter grip on what Fire TV Stick owners can — and cannot — install on their devices. Clearly, the Seattle-based retailer hopes this will ensure users stick to legitimate streamers, like Disney+, Apple TV+, Paramount+, Netflix, and its own Prime Video, to watch TV shows, sports, and films.
FACT Chairman Kieron Sharp told GB News that Amazon's decision to outlaw sideloading on its newest Fire TV Stick 4K Select was "a welcome step"
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It's a move that's been welcomed by the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT).
Speaking to GB News, Chairman Kieron Sharp said: "Amazon’s move to block sideloading on the latest Fire TV Stick is a welcome step in tackling the growing threat of illegal streaming apps.
"These unverified services aren’t just unlawful, they expose users to serious risks, including data theft, malware and fraud. FACT continues to run nationwide cease-and-desist campaigns targeting sellers and operators of illegal devices, and we’re urging consumers to stay safe by using legitimate platforms.
"Through the BeStreamWise campaign, which FACT supports, we’re helping people understand the risks of illegal streaming and find trusted, legal alternatives."
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For those who might've missed it, the BeStreamWise campaign is designed to spotlight the risks of watching copyrighted material at no cost.
It warns viewers that organised crime gangs running illicit streaming services are stealing bank details, emptying accounts and nicking personal information from Britons.
The campaign uses the tagline "Illegal streams let criminals in", and features a website alongside posters appearing in Tube stations around London. A short film that's racked up over half a million views online shows a man watching football on his laptop whilst shadowy hands emerge from the screen to snatch his bank cards and private details. Alongside FACT, the UK Government's Intellectual Property Office is backing the effort, with assistance from Crimestoppers, broadcasters ITV, Sky, and the Premier League.
The British Association for Screen Entertainment (BASE) says: "Our research has shown that those who view films, TV shows or sports fixtures through illegal streams increasingly report serious repercussions such as viruses, scams and personal data breaches."
Of course, turning your back on illicit streaming isn't just about reducing the risk of fraudulent transactions and malware, it also keeps you safe from police action.
Last summer, British law enforcement has launched "one of the largest crackdowns to date" on modified Fire TV Sticks and other illicit streaming services — and issued a warning to anyone who uses these unlawfully modified devices to watch paid-for television shows, blockbuster movies, and live sports coverage for free that "this is just the start".
For the strong action across the UK, FAST teamed up with broadcaster Sky and a swathe of police forces across the country to target individuals providing unauthorised access to premium TV content with illegal IPTV services and unlawfully modified Fire TV Stick devices.
The latest crackdown — described as a "month-long coordinated nationwide surge" — saw authorities raid homes and make arrests, seize modified Fire TV Sticks and other streaming devices, and serve cease-and-desist notices across the UK. Police have previously warned 'fully-loaded' Fire TV Stick owners to expect a knock at the door.
From Essex to Dundee, 40 illegal IPTV operators were in the crosshairs of this long-planned operation.
Some of the illicit streaming devices found at one of the addresses, including modified versions of Amazon's best-selling Fire TV Sticks | FACT HANDOUT Law enforcement also arrested a 42-year-old man in Nottingham, a 51-year-old man from Widnes and a 52-year-old man in Stockton-on-Tees. Digital devices and "fully loaded" smart TV boxes or Fire TV Sticks were seized from the addresses and are currently undergoing forensic examination by FACT.
Sky is actively working to remove listings and social media posts promoting the sale of illegal IPTV subscriptions and "loaded" Fire TV Sticks in the UK and Ireland. During this month-long intensification period, they culled over 3,000 separate listings for these illicit streaming services.
At the time, FACT revealed that its latest operation targeted individuals across the UK, including London, South East England, West Midlands, North West, North East, North Wales and Scotland.
Under current rules, if you’re caught watching copyright-protected material for free with one of these Fire TV Sticks, the first step from authorities will be a cease-and-desist letter through the post.
If that fails to stop you, police can make a home visit.
Section 11 of the Fraud Act 2006 permits an unlimited fine and prison sentence of up to five years for those who are found guilty of “obtaining services dishonestly”.
In a statement about the legality of streaming with these dodgy devices, FACT said it "constantly monitors the digital landscape to combat illegal streaming activities in the UK and Ireland.
"We utilise a range of methods to identify individuals engaged in unauthorised businesses that offer access to illegal streams," it adds in a statement. "One of these methods is through our partnership with Crimestoppers to make it as easy as possible to report illegal streaming, and over the past year, we have seen a significant increase in the number of reports directly linked to Fire Sticks and illegal streaming.
"These reports are then investigated by our Intelligence Unit, and followed up with a rolling programme of action which includes issuing ‘Cease and Desist’ letters and conducting nationwide ‘Knock and Talks’.
“These home visits, undertaken in conjunction with law enforcement, serve to inform individuals about their activities and the immediate need to cease and desist or face further action or prosecution. We also work in close collaboration with law enforcement to gather further evidence to actively pursue legal actions against these criminal entities."
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