Overview
- Police, anti-fraud teams and FACT targeted 17 UK areas in raids, with Irish operators served 13 legal notices that triggered shutdowns, terminated subscriptions and paid settlements.
- BeStreamWise reports 40% of surveyed illegal streamers suffered financial fraud with an estimated average loss of £1,680, and nearly two-thirds reported security scares such as malware or malicious pop-ups.
- City of London Police warned that illegal streaming is a false economy that can expose users to data theft, cybercrime and fraud.
- Amazon introduced the Fire TV Stick 4K Select running Vega OS, removed sideloading on new models and, via ACE, will block apps identified as enabling piracy, with downloads restricted to its Appstore.
- Authorities cite penalties for offenders, including a recent two-year prison sentence for a supplier and potential fines up to £50,000, while the government stresses devices become illegal once adapted to stream subscription content without payment.