Amazon has a new plan to crack down on Fire TV Stick's piracy problem

Amazon is introducing a stricter approach to combat illegal streaming, aiming to block applications on all of its Fire TV Stick devices that are identified as distributing pirated content.

This strategy is detailed in a new episode of The Athletic FC Podcast, titled "The Underground World of Illegal Streaming." The episode investigates the role Amazon Fire Sticks play in the expanding market for sports piracy. According to a report by The Athletic, data from researchers at YouGov Sport shows that around 4.7 million adults in the UK watched illegal streams over the past six months. About 31% used Fire Stick devices (a term now commonly used for all plug-in streaming devices) and other IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) tools, making it the second most common method after websites, which account for 42%.Amazon recently introduced a new Fire TV Stick model, the 4K Select, which connects to TVs for internet-based streaming. The company says it includes improved security through a new Vega operating system, allowing only apps available in Amazon’s official app store to be downloaded, in an effort to reduce misuse for piracy.While Fire Sticks themselves are legal, the software installed on them can lead to problems.

Sports rights holders and broadcasters have expressed concerns about earlier versions of the Fire TV Stick, as its open developer framework made it easier to install unauthorised third-party apps. These apps often provide access to illegal streaming platforms, which typically charge between £40 and £60 ($50 to $80) per year, which is far less than legitimate sports subscriptions and can contribute to funding criminal networks.

What Amazon said about cracking down on piracy

Amazon has confirmed that its crackdown on piracy will cover both new and existing Fire TV Stick devices. However, registered developers will still be able to use them for legitimate purposes.In a statement to The Athletic, an Amazon spokesperson said: “Piracy is illegal and we’ve always worked to block it from our app store,. We’ll now block apps identified as providing access to pirated content, including those downloaded from outside our app store.”The company is working with the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), which represents over 50 media firms. Larissa Knapp, Chief Content Protection Officer at the Motion Picture Association, said, “We’re committed to helping them succeed in this space.” She noted that criminals adapt quickly, so “intelligence sharing and partnerships are so critical.”The rollout began in Germany and France and will expand globally. The Athletic reported that Amazon had already blocked several apps linked to illegal streaming, some of which were suspected of containing malware. Amazon stated that “safeguarding our customers’ security is of the utmost importance.”