Fire TV Stick crackdown as more UK homes stopped watching Sky and TNT Sports for free

Sellers of so-called "dodgy Fire TV Sticks" have been issued a stern warning by UK authorities, who say those offering them could face "prosecution and a conviction".

As the cost of living crisis continues to bite, more people are seeking cheaper ways to stream premium content, but sellers of modified Fire TV Sticks are under scrutiny. The alert follows a guilty plea from one provider of modified Fire devices on charges of promoting and selling the illegal firesticks.

Kevin James O'Donnell, from Liverpool, sold devices that provided unauthorised access to premium film and television content, including live football matches. It's estimated that around 3,600 people bought the devices via Facebook and WhatsApp, paying a small fee of between £40 - £80 for access to platforms such as Sky and TNT Sports.

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Speaking about the latest conviction Kieron Sharp, CEO of FACT, said: "We are immensely grateful for the diligent work carried out by Merseyside Police Cyber Crime Unit. Their collaboration with FACT has been instrumental in holding O'Donnell accountable for his actions.

"This case highlights the importance of protecting legitimate providers as well as the significant impact that coordinated law enforcement efforts can have on combating digital piracy. If you sell a device that provides access to content that is not licensed to you or owned by you, you could face criminal investigation, prosecution and a conviction."

And Detective Inspector Steve Frame added: "We have been working closely with FACT to ensure that O'Donnell is made to answer for his actions, and this was a great example of how police and industry experts can come together to tackle this type of criminality. Illegal streaming is far from a victimless crime, and as well as the impact it has on businesses and content creators, it essentially means that legitimate subscribers pay for those who illegally access such services."