Warning to ‘dodgy’ Amazon Firestick users after police crackdown
Those caught face a jail sentence and a hefty fine.
People who use ‘dodgy’ Firesticks may be visited by police as Amazon crack down on streaming.
The number of users jail breaking their devices to allow them to watch any channels without paying for subscriptions has increased.
Subscription service Sky is now teaming up with trading standard to threaten those proving the streams with arrest.
Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT UK) are preparing to send cease and desist letters and officials to users doorsteps.
Under copyright law those found to be fraudulently receiving transmissions can be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison.
They have also warned those using the illegal streaming services are having their personal data stored with providers selling it on for profit.
FACT UK said: ‘Fact 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.
‘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 Firesticks 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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