Major Amazon Fire TV Stick replace will block all unlawful streaming apps
Amazon is soon cracking down on increased illegal streaming, with the company announcing that it will soon block all apps that are suspected of offering pirated content
So-called ‘dodgy’ Fire TV Sticks have surged in popularity in recent years, and it’s easy to understand why. These gadgets, typically modified by cybercriminals, provide complete access to premium sports and films, with users frequently paying just a fraction of the cost of subscribing to official platforms like Sky.
With the cost-of-living crisis squeezing household budgets, millions are believed to have switched to illegal streaming, but the era of watching the Premier League via a Fire TV Stick may be coming to an end.
Amazon is entering the battle against this widespread practice. The tech giant announced that, from today, it will start blocking apps suspected of providing illegal streams.
“Piracy is illegal, and we’ve always worked to block it from our Appstore,” an Amazon spokesperson told Mirror Online.
“Through an expanded program led by the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), a global coalition fighting digital piracy, we’ll now block apps identified as providing access to pirated content, including those downloaded from outside our Appstore.”
“This builds on our ongoing efforts to support creators and protect customers, as piracy can also expose users to malware, viruses, and fraud.”
Once an app has been identified, users will receive a message explaining why it is being blocked. The service will then stop functioning, leaving viewers without access.
Amazon isn’t scrapping the ability to sideload applications, and all legitimate streaming apps – like Disney+, Netflix and Prime Video – will remain functional, but the alteration should make it considerably tougher to view content without stumping up for a proper subscription.
It’s a monumental shift that could finally spell the end for households accessing top-tier content at rock-bottom prices or completely gratis.
Amazon is evidently conscious that the decision will prove divisive, but it appears the tech titan no longer wishes its devices to facilitate illegal usage.
The rollout will commence across Europe initially, with all UK users subsequently facing restrictions at some stage down the line. Whilst this modification will help curtail unlawful streaming to some degree, it fails to tackle the root cause of why punters are turning to dodgy streams in the first place.
Leading analyst Paolo Pescatore informed Mirror Online that the shake-up is well overdue, describing the decision as a “step in the right direction”.
Nevertheless, there’s a wider dilemma: consumers are being compelled to fork out ever-steeper subscription charges to access programming.
“Broadcasters are spending more to secure live sports rights and passing these costs onto consumers who can’t afford them, leading to a messy, fragmented experience,” Pescatore explained to us. Naturally, there are additional risks associated with illegal streaming, such as exposure to malware and unsuitable content.
Despite warnings about these issues, they haven’t deterred people from joining the streaming revolution. This fresh block from Amazon could potentially put an end to watching without paying.
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