People caught using Amazon Fire Sticks illegally could face jail time

People caught with devices that allow them access to TV and streaming channels they haven’t paid for are in danger of facing a prison sentence.

There’s plenty of different streaming platforms out there that can be accessed in different ways. 

Some can be downloaded and require a subscription, some come as part of a package and other providers even have their own devices. 

Either way, you’ve got to pay for access to their movies and TV shows.

A popular version of these streaming devices is the Amazon Fire Stick, which some people pay someone to have modified, ‘chipped’ or ‘jailbroken’.

According to the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT), it has seen a ‘significant’ rise in the number of reports of people illegally streaming across the UK over the last 12 months.

If you’re suspected to be illegally streaming you could receive a cease and desist letter or even have an officer knock on your door. Illegal streamers will be told to stop immediately or they could face prosecution.

Kieron Sharp, CEO at FACT, said: “Illegal IPTV service providers are breaking the law and putting consumers at real risk of malware, data compromise, and identity theft.

“Consumers who pay for pirate services should also know that they are often funding serious organised crime groups.

“FACT and Sky remain committed to disrupting these criminal operations and protecting consumers from the many dangers of illegal streaming.”

Matt Hibbert, Sky’s director of anti-piracy UK and ROI, says it is ‘working with partners’ to ‘tackle the issue of illegal streaming’.

He says, while Sky is ‘passionate’ about protecting its content, it also wants to ensure consumers can enjoy watching it, ‘free from risks that illegal streams can pose’.

Watching TV streaming services without paying for them means you fall foul of the 2006 Fraud Act.

In section 11 of the act, it covers ‘obtaining services dishonestly’ which includes ‘knowing the services are made available on the basis that payment has been, is being or will be made for, or in respect of them or that they might be; and avoids or intends to avoid payment in full or in part’.

In other words, if you know you’re supposed to pay for something to use it but use it without paying, that’s illegal.

And if you get caught then you could be looking at up to five years behind bars, a hefty fine, or  both.