Police crackdown on ‘dodgy’ Fire TV sticks in the West Midlands - law explained

• Authorities launch clampdown on ‘dodgy’ firesticks.

• Man arrested over distribution of illegal streaming sticks.

• Action was carried out across the West Midlands and UK.

A crackdown on so-called “dodgy” firesticks has taken place just in time for Christmas. It’s going to  be a busy festive season of entertainment sport with plenty of football and darts to take place - and people may have been tempted to buy an illegal streaming stick.

Police in the West Midlands have joined up with forces across the UK and FACT to intensify efforts to disrupt and dismantle piracy operations. 

It includes targeting suppliers who are selling unauthorised access to premium content, including film, television and live sports. Normal Fire Sticks sold by Amazon are not the devices being clamped down on - instead it is modified or ‘jailbroken’ devices which go around the software installed by the developer.

In a two-week enforcement operation, suppliers of illegal IPTV services were targeted. These individuals were visited in person and issued cease-and-desist warnings by post, instructing them to cease illegal activities immediately or face potential criminal prosecution.

Where did the crackdown take place?

The clampdown, which lasted a fortnight, focused on disrupting the distribution of illicit Firesticks and other illegal streaming operations. It spanned locations across the UK, including:

• London

• Cheshire

• Kent

• Sussex

• Norfolk

• Northamptonshire

• Lincolnshire

• Derbyshire

• Staffordshire

• the East and West Midlands

• Greater Manchester

• Merseyside

• Northumbria

• North Yorkshire

Man arrested as part of clampdown

During the two-week operation, South Wales Police arrested a 42-year-old man from Newport who was suspected of involvement in illegal IPTV operations, including the sale of illicit Firesticks. FACT and South Wales Police seized several digital devices, including Firesticks, which are now undergoing forensic examination.

The suspect could face criminal charges. Additionally, FACT issued a number of takedown requests to social media platforms and online marketplaces, further disrupting illegal IPTV activity.

Courts are increasingly imposing severe penalties for illegal streaming operations, particularly those who do not heed warnings. Last month, a private prosecution undertaken by the Premier League resulted in Jonathan Edge, a 29-year-old from Liverpool, receiving a three-year and four-month prison sentence for selling and using illicit Firesticks.

Despite a prior cease-and-desist warning from FACT, which he chose to ignore, Edge continued his activities. His sentence also includes a concurrent two-year and three-month term for personally accessing and viewing the pirated content he distributed.

Dodgy firestick users ‘putting themselves at risk’

Kieron Sharp, FACT CEO, said: “Our cease-and-desist measures are not just warnings—they are the first step toward holding offenders accountable. Many who ignored these notices in the past are now facing arrest and criminal charges. We strongly advise anyone involved in these activities to stop immediately.

“If you’re supplying or using illicit streaming devices or illegal IPTV subscriptions, take this as a clear warning: you are breaking the law and risk facing serious consequences. We will continue working with police to track down and shut down these illegal operations.

“The police across the UK have been unstinting in their efforts to tackle this criminality and we are grateful for their assistance. To those using illegal streaming services, the message is that you’re not just committing a crime; you are putting yourself at risk.

“These services often expose users to malware, scams, and data theft, with no recourse when things go wrong. The safest, smartest and only choice is to stick to legitimate providers for your entertainment.”

What is the law around ‘dodgy’ firesticks? Can you really go to jail?

It is not technically against the law to jailbreak a streaming stick like a firestick. However it is illegal to watch dodgy livestreams of sporting events on them - this does include live football and the darts at Christmas.

The law around illegal streams is to do with breaching copyright. On the government’s website it explains: “Every time you access illegal content, whether it’s to enjoy your favourite films, books, sports or TV shows using a modified box or stick or via an unauthorised website, app, add-on or another illegal source, you are infringing copyright and may be committing a crime.”

But while you may get a knock at the door, the chances of being prosecuted are low - if you are just watching illegal streams. However a number of people in recent years have been jailed for selling modified streaming sticks, including a man in Liverpool earlier in 2024. https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/crime/firesticks-illegal-stream-laws-4864716

NOW TV offers sports subscription packages, which lets you watch Sky Sports without having a physical box. While Sky does have its own streaming service in Go for subscribers and those with a TNT subscription can stream on.

 FACT warns: “If you illegally stream unauthorised content, the police may be tracking you right now and may be in touch with you soon.”

Is it right for the authorities to clampdown on illegal streaming sticks? Share your thoughts