Accessing Sky streams without paying the standard fee has just become a bit more challenging. The illegal viewing of content through so-called ‘dodgy’ Fire TV Sticks has surged in popularity over recent years, and it’s easy to see why.
Most providers of these devices charge significantly less than official channels – some content can even be viewed for free. It is estimated that millions of UK households are now using these services, but ongoing crackdowns are making things more difficult.
Just last month, police conducted several raids and shut down numerous illegal streaming operations. Now, there’s another setback for those who don’t want to pay for access to Sky, Netflix, Disney+ and more.
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A seller of Fire TV Sticks – named Sunny Kumar Kanda, from Halifax – has been sentenced to two years in prison for selling dodgy devices over an 18-month period. His business, ‘KD Media’, sold modified Fire Sticks via Facebook which could then be used to access premium movies, sports and TV shows.
After defrauding legitimate providers of over £108,000, Kanda was finally apprehended when an undercover investigator from FACT made a test purchase of the advertised Fire Stick. Upon analysis, it was discovered that the Fire Stick had been altered to provide unauthorised access to premium film, television, and live sports content using applications called The Vodfather XC and Plex, reports the Mirror.
With Kanda’s operations brought to a halt, fewer households will be able to tap into illegal streams. “Accessing pirated content through illegal TV fire sticks undermines the UK’s entertainment industry, putting its talented workforce and supply chains at risk by depriving them of fair earnings and revenue,” a spokesperson for National Trading Standards commented.
They added: “It also puts consumers at risk by exposing them to illegal software that can put their data and bank details in jeopardy.”
They went on to say: “Today’s sentence is an important reminder to all those who buy and sell TV firesticks that crime does not pay – it breaches copyright law and we encourage people to report suspected cases to the Citizens Advice consumer service.”
Adding to the discourse, Kieron Sharp, CEO of FACT, said: “We are grateful for the strong partnership between FACT, City of York Council, North Yorkshire Council and the National Trading Standards eCrime Team. This collaboration was crucial in securing the evidence needed to hold the offender accountable.”
He further emphasized: “Illegal streaming isn’t a victimless crime. It weakens the creative industries, puts consumers at risk of data theft and often funds other serious crimes.”
Concluding his perspective, he warned: “The outcome serves as both a consequence for those involved in these criminal activities and as a strong warning to others considering similar action.”