50k firestick warning for fans streaming live football illegally

Football fans are being warned they could face fines of up to £50,000 if they use an Amazon Fire TV Stick device to stream games illegally.

High-profile raids on illegal streaming operations have been conducted following collaborative work with internet service providers (ISPs). This action has been amplified since the introduction of the Digital Economy Act 2017, which targets both providers and viewers of illegal streaming services.

The Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) among other UK authorities, are stepping up their efforts to tackle this offence. The legislation has equipped UK law enforcement with stronger tools to aggressively track down and prosecute those involved in digital piracy. In the UK, illegal streaming is an offence under copyright law.

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Offenders can face hefty fines and jail terms of up to ten years. Those found distributing illegal streams have been hit with fines exceeding £50,000, reports Birmingham Live. While viewers of these streams typically face less severe fines, they can still be penalised with fines often surpassing several thousand pounds, reflecting the seriousness with which the UK addresses copyright infringement. Warnings have also been issued about the associated cyber risks.

Downloading or streaming from unauthorised sites can lead to substantial online threats, compromising personal data and damaging devices. Such cyber risks often result in significant data theft or hardware issues.

Alex Hemming, a sports analyst from Free Bets Ireland, sounded the alarm, saying: "The risks associated with illegal streaming of sports in the UK are significant and multifaceted. The potential for hefty fines, criminal prosecution, and personal data compromise makes illegal streaming a risky endeavour. With more legitimate streaming options available than ever, choosing to view sports through official channels is not only the legal choice but the smarter one."