‘Dodgy’ Firestick users warned as an order was signed to release IP addresses
DODGY Amazon Fire Stick users have been warned that their IP addresses could be revealed as part of a new ruling.
A judge in Spain has signed an order that could identify illegal streamers – and football fans should be particularly wary.
According to local media, a commercial court in Barcelona has issued the new ruling to take legal action against football pirates.
The ruling essentially means that internet providers will be legally obliged to send the IP addresses of illegal streamers to La Liga, the Spanish football league.
This comes as part of a major crackdown on illegal streamers – previously only public institutions could be prosecuted for illegally streaming sports.
Britain is also cracking down on people using ‘unreliable’ Amazon Fire Sticks to stream sports.
Lawyer Lynette Calder has warned that Britons will face serious consequences if they jailbreak a Fire Stick, saying a magistrate could give you an unlimited fine.
More serious cases of Britons possessing a jailbroken fire stick could result in a prison sentence of up to 12 months.
She added: “For more serious and organized offenses that have gone to the Crown Court, you are looking at a maximum of ten years in prison if the charge falls under section 7 or 5 years for sections 6 and 11.
“Why take the risk? If you can’t afford the Premier League streaming service, why not find a pub that can.”
In October, a Premiere League streaming mastermind was jailed for two and a half years for selling illegal Fire Sticks to a reported 30,000 subscribers.
Steven Mills, 58, from Shrewsbury, Shropshire, has made more than £1million from the operation over five years, a court heard.
Police attitudes towards untrustworthy Fire Stick users have only increased in 2024, with raids becoming more frequent.
Just last week, one person was arrested and 11 others questioned as police swarmed areas across the UK.
Anyone using modified Amazon Fire Sticks to illegally stream content such as Premier League football has been severely warned.
Fire Sticks give users instant access to TV shows from a range of paid streaming apps, such as Prime Video, Netflix and Disney+.
However, people often get versions with unofficial apps on them that provide free or cheap access to premium channels.
A spokesperson for FACT, the British digital forensics company, has said the country is cracking down on digital piracy.
He said: “Implementing these measures has sent a strong message: piracy is a criminal act that must be treated with the utmost seriousness and decisive action will be taken against providers of illegal services, regardless of their size or scale.
“We remain vigilant in monitoring platforms including modified firesticks that promote and distribute illegal streams, and take decisive action against those selling illegal access to premium TV content.
“FACT and its partners are committed to disrupting these criminal operations and non-compliance will result in further law enforcement action.”
All 12 people police spoke to were given warnings, meaning they all now have criminal records.
If they do not comply with the rules in the warning, they can appear in court.
It was recently revealed that around 19 percent of people streamed content illegally over a three-month period.
Police raided homes and made two arrests in January after finding pirated Fire TV devices were being sold with full unauthorized access to premium Sky packages.
And an investigation led to the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU) discovering a Telegram channel selling the illegal Fire Sticks, netting those involved more than £800,000.
Detective Inspector Steve Payne, from ERSOU’s regional organized crime unit, is concerned that this money will be used to fund other crimes.