"you are breaking the law and risk facing serious consequences."
Several areas of the UK have been targeted in a “dodgy” Firestick crackdown as Christmas approaches.
The festive season is packed with plenty of sport and it may tempt people to buy an illegal streaming stick.
FACT and police forces across the UK have increased efforts to disrupt and dismantle piracy operations.
This includes targeting suppliers who are selling unauthorised access to premium content, including film, TV and live sports.
In a two-week enforcement operation, suppliers of illegal IPTV services were targeted.
These individuals were visited in person and issued cease-and-desist warnings by post, instructing them to cease illegal activities immediately or face potential criminal prosecution.
The crackdown focused on disrupting the distribution of illegal Firesticks and other illegal streaming operations.
Locations across the UK included:
- London
- Cheshire
- Kent
- Sussex
- Norfolk
- Northamptonshire
- Lincolnshire
- Derbyshire
- Staffordshire
- East and West Midlands
- Greater Manchester
- Merseyside
- Northumbria
- North Yorkshire
During the operation, a 42-year-old man from Newport, Wales was arrested.
He was suspected of being involved in illegal IPTV operations, including the sale of illicit Firesticks.
FACT and South Wales Police seized several digital devices, including Firesticks, which are now undergoing forensic examination.
The suspect remains under investigation and could face criminal charges.
FACT also issued several takedown requests to social media platforms and online marketplaces.
Courts are increasingly imposing severe penalties for illegal streaming operations, particularly those who do not heed warnings.
In November 2024, Jonathan Edge was jailed for three years and four months for selling and using illicit Firesticks.
Despite a prior cease-and-desist warning from FACT, which he chose to ignore, Edge continued his activities.
His sentence also includes a concurrent two-year and three-month term for personally accessing and viewing the pirated content he distributed.
Kieron Sharp, FACT CEO, said:
“Our cease-and-desist measures are not just warnings – they are the first step toward holding offenders accountable.”
“Many who ignored these notices in the past are now facing arrest and criminal charges.
“We strongly advise anyone involved in these activities to stop immediately.
“If you’re supplying or using illicit streaming devices or illegal IPTV subscriptions, take this as a clear warning: you are breaking the law and risk facing serious consequences.
“We will continue working with police to track down and shut down these illegal operations.
“The police across the UK have been unstinting in their efforts to tackle this criminality and we are grateful for their assistance.
“To those using illegal streaming services, the message is that you’re not just committing a crime; you are putting yourself at risk.
“These services often expose users to malware, scams, and data theft, with no recourse when things go wrong. The safest, smartest and only choice is to stick to legitimate providers for your entertainment.”
Currently, it is not technically against the law to jailbreak a Firestick.
But it is illegal to watch dodgy livestreams of sporting events on them.
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