The popular Fire TV Sticks are getting a massive update to stop illegal streaming.
Amazon is set to send a major update to Fire TV Sticks to block illegal streaming.(Image: Thomas Trutschel/Getty Images)
The way we use our Amazon Fire TV Sticks is about to change as Amazon is set to release a huge update in a bid to block illegal streaming.
While the vast majority of households now watch their favourite shows and content through the internet and streaming apps, it turns out that millions of homes are capitalising on this trend to watch premium content for free.
By using ‘dodgy’ Fire TV sticks, users are to use unofficial pre-loaded apps that will let them watch their favourite movies, entertainment and sports without having to pay annual subscription fees for services such as Virgin Media and Sky.
As this use of corrupted devices is continuing to grow, tech giant Amazon has decided that enough is enough.
The retail and streaming firm is set to release a major update today that will make it significantly trickier for homes to watch the Premier League or the latest film to hit the big screen.
Amazon’s new update to its Fire TV Sticks will work to instantly block any apps that are suspected of offering access to illegal streaming, reports the Express.
Millions of homes are buying ‘dodgy’ Fire TV Sticks to use unofficial pre-loaded apps to watch premium content.(Image: Getty Images)
Until now, Amazon has allowed all applications to be sideloaded onto its devices without the fear of any implications to follow once installed.
It should be noted that regular streaming apps, such as Disney+, Netflix, Sky’s NOW and Prime Video, can still be installed from outside Amazon’s appstore.
However, homes that use illegal services will soon start seeing a message popping up that informs them that the software they are using will be blocked due to showing unauthorised content.
While the US tech giant is aware that this update will be unpopular for households who have been able to watch premium content for free or at a significantly reduced rate, it seems like Amazon has had enough of its devices being used illegally.
Amazon seems to have had enough of its Fire TV Stick devices being used illegally.(Image: Thomas Trutschel/Getty Images)
This change has also been led by the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), which aims to shut down global piracy operations.
An Amazon spokesperson said: “Piracy is illegal, and we’ve always worked to block it from our Appstore.
“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.”
For the rollout of the new update, Amazon has confirmed that Europe will be hit first, with the UK being blocked from illegal apps in the not too distant future.
While these changes won’t stop the issue of why people choose to stream illegally to begin with, analyst Paolo Pescatore believes this change is “long overdue” and a “step in the right direction”.
However, while illegal streaming is a wide problem, another overwhelming issue is the increasingly high subscription fees homes have to pay to be able to watch content.
Pescatore said: “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.”
If you or someone you know is using illegal streaming services to watch premium content, it seems like your days are numbered.
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