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PLAYING WITH FIRE
Secret world of ‘dodgy firesticks’ exposed – with covert WhatsApp groups & £100 payments to mysterious ringleaders
Security expert James Bore said it is possible the devices could be used against you
MORE and more Brits are using dodgy Amazon firesticks to watch exclusive channels without paying a monthly fee.
Legitimate firesticks offer users instant access to TV from a range of paid streaming apps, such as Prime Video and Netflix.
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But some people obtain versions with unofficial apps side-loaded onto them that provide free or cheap access to premium channels.
The trend shows no signs of abating - so how exactly do people get hold of the illegal sticks?
The Sun understands you need to know someone who has a dodgy firestick that can then give your number to an anonymous "admin".
They then organise a payment so you can download apps, receive logins and then get access.
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You're also added to a "customer service" WhatsApp group where the admin troubleshoots problems and takes requests for films and TV shows.
Football fans face 10 YEARS in prison & unlimited fines if they’re caught using ‘dodgy box’ fire sticks to stream sport
Barrister Lynette Calder has warned Brits face serious consequences if they jailbreak a Fire Stick, stressing: "Why take the risk?"
The lawyer, of 5 Pump Court, said charges depend on the severity of your crime but a magistrate could issue you with an unlimited fine.
More serious cases of Brits owning a jailbroken fire stick could leave you with a prison sentence of up to 12 months.
She added: "For more serious and organised offending that went to the crown Court you are talking a maximum of up to 10 years in prison if the charge is under section 7 or 5 years for section 6 and 11.
"Why take the risk? If you can’t afford the streaming service for Premier League then why not find yourself a pub that can.
"That way the added bonus is a pint, not a £2500 fine."
Users pay £100 a year to access all the channels they can think of from around the world and in the UK.
It gives you unlimited access to Premier League football on Sky and TNT.
It also includes the latest movies and TV shows on Netflix, Apple TV and Amazon Prime.
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But chartered security professional James Bore told The Sun it is possible the devices could be used against you.
He said: "In the same way as buying a second hand laptop, it's possible the seller has put software on it which may track data, copy passwords, and similar.
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"It's not necessarily likely, but it's certainly possible."
The tech guru also said the problem is only getting worse and dodgy firesticks are here to stay.
James, of security and technology consultancy, explained: "It's an echo of the original rise of pirating.
"Piracy of content is more often about convenience than expense, and with the Balkanisation of streaming services and fragmenting of content across them simply trying to keep access to your preferred content is becoming ever-more inconvenient, and ever-more expensive.
"Couple this with the government's cost-of-living-crisis and there's a lot of incentives for people to seek their entertainment through less than legitimate means."
Just weeks ago, one person was arrested and 11 others were interrogated when police swarmed areas from Portsmouth all the way to Manchester, Leeds and Wales.
All 11 people spoken to by officers were given a conditional caution, stating they were to cease their activity and take down their advertising and social media channels.
A conditional caution gives a person a record on the police system and if they do not abide by the conditions of the caution, they will go to court and face further prosecution.
The operation was the latest in a crackdown on the sale and distribution of illegally modified fire sticks, including the sentencing of one such seller to two and half years imprisonment in October 2023.
The sentencing followed a nationwide operation supported by PIPCU and FACT which disrupted more than 1,000 customers of the service.
What is a 'dodgy' firestick?
Jailbreaking a firestick is not only against the law in the UK and the US, but it can also permanently damage the Amazon device.
Firestick offer users instant access to TV shows from a range of streaming apps, such as Prime Video, Netflix and Disney+.
However, people commonly use their devices for illegal streaming.
This is what led to the arrests of two British men in December, who were caught with an illegal firestick operation.
The remote control can be adapted to side-load unofficial apps that aren't found on Amazon's store.
A jailbroken firestick can access pirate streaming apps, so users have a wider library of illegal content to sift through - without paying a penny.
Kieron Sharp, CEO at FACT, said: "The success achieved through this targeted operation is directly attributable to the outstanding effort and robust support from PIPCU.
"By implementing these measures, a strong message has been conveyed: piracy is a criminal act that is treated with utmost seriousness and decisive action will be taken against suppliers of illicit services regardless of their size or scale.
"We remain vigilant in monitoring platforms, including modified fire sticks that promote and distribute illegal streams, taking decisive action against those selling illegal access to premium TV content.
"FACT and its partners are determined to disrupt these criminal operations and non-compliance will lead to further law enforcement action."
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Meanwhile, a judge in Spain signed a warrant that would allow for illegal streamers to be identified - and footie fans should be especially wary.
The ruling essentially means that internet service providers will be legally obliged to send the IP addresses of illegal streamers to La Liga - the Spanish football league.
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