Dodgy Fire Sticks are increasingly common in UK homes, but many users are unaware of the potential consequences if caught. Previous reports estimate that almost five million people across Britain have accessed illegal sports streaming services. Organisations including the Premier League, Sky and FACT (Federation Against Copyright Theft) are collaborating with law enforcement to stamp out this practice.
What is a dodgy Fire Stick?
A dodgy Fire Stick, also referred to as 'illicit streaming', is a physical box that connects to your television or USB devices, such as an Amazon Fire Stick, according to the Echo. These illegal devices are used to access content without the copyright holder's authorisation on smart TVs, laptops or mobile phones.
While various devices can be employed, the most prevalent are "jailbroken" Fire Sticks, which have been modified with third-party media server applications. These gadgets are legal when used to view free content, but become illegal when altered to stream television programmes, films and subscription sports channels without paying the required subscription fee.
How to spot an illegal Fire Stick
Illegal Fire Sticks can be identified if you are viewing television programmes, films or sporting events that would typically require payment but you haven't paid for them, such as sporting events broadcast by BT Sport. The Government website cautions that customers should steer clear of these devices, as some have failed to meet EU safety standards and could pose a genuine risk to the public, potentially causing fires in homes or business premises.
GOV.UK also highlights that these devices 'lack parental controls' and may expose children or young people to explicit or age-inappropriate material. The website provides guidance for those who already own such a device, stating: "These devices can be used legally by removing the software. If you are unsure get advice to help you use the device legally."
It adds: "If you wish to watch content that's only available via subscription, such as sports, you should approach the relevant provider to find out about legal ways to watch."
How police detect illegal Fire Sticks
Police and anti-piracy organisations such as FACT can identify illegal or modified "dodgy" Fire Sticks through several methods. This includes seizing records from unlawful streaming servers, examining financial and banking transaction trails, and tracing customer databases obtained during raids on major suppliers.
They can also use digital postcodes, meaning every device connection relies on a unique IP address linked to a household internet router. Investigators collaborate with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to match those active streaming IP addresses directly to subscriber names and residential billing addresses.
Consequences of using or selling an illegal Fire Stick
Individuals found streaming content illegally could face fines of up to thousands of pounds, as well as the potential of a prison sentence of up to 12 months. Copyright owners including Sky or the Premier League can also take civil legal action to recoup lost earnings.
Under the Fraud Act 2006, it constitutes an offence of "obtaining services dishonestly", which could also lead to imprisonment for up to 12 months. For more severe offences, including supplying or distributing devices on a commercial basis, offenders could face up to five years behind bars.
FACT has also cautioned that those supplying or viewing content could incur penalties of up to £50,000 for using modified Fire Sticks to illegally access Sky and Premier League content.
This week, NHS worker Craig Austin escaped imprisonment after admitting to selling illegal Fire Sticks. He generated more than £200,000 and attracted over 1,000 customers by promoting his service on social media. A Sky anti-piracy investigator calculated that, had more than 1,000 subscribers paid legitimately for the entertainment packages over the entire duration of his offending, the company would have made £3,661,908.48.
Austin admitted three counts of making or supplying an article for use in fraud and acquiring criminal property. He was given a 32-month imprisonment suspended for three years with 150 hours of unpaid work and a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 20 days.
