Defiant users of ‘dodgy’ firesticks that allow people to illegally stream live sports and the latest films say they will not stop using them amid a police crackdown – as one explained they are not doing any harm and even her ‘middle class, law-abiding’ mother has one.
Users of the illicit devices have been threatened with legal action in recent weeks as the authorities and broadcasters hit back against the booming illegal streaming industry, with at least one person being arrested on suspicion of selling them.
Experts have also warned that people who use these devices can expose their personal data, including banking details and sensitive information, or introduce malware onto home devices.
But despite this, some users are determined to continue using the ‘dodgy’ firesticks, saying the benefits outweigh the risks when it comes to avoiding the rising costs of streaming services.
One user who spoke to MailOnline said despite falling victim to a scammer who took thousands from his credit card within weeks of plugging in the device, he has returned to using it in recent months.
Meanwhile, another person revealed her entire family had purchased them as they felt there is ‘nothing massively wrong’ with using one and there is no punishment for having them – despite one person involved in the trade being jailed for three years following a private prosecution earlier this year.
The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said: ‘I bought my stick a year ago, because it’s cheaper than paying for Amazon, Hulu and all these other services. The cinema has become really expensive as well. Over the weekend I just watched Wicked and it cost me absolutely nothing.
‘My dad bought one first to access the sports, then I bought one and my sisters have them too. I’ve told my boyfriend to get one and he’s persuaded his mum, so we’re all doing it!
Defiant users of ‘dodgy’ firesticks that allow people to illegally stream live sports and the latest films say they will not stop using them amid a police crackdown – as one said even her ‘middle class, law-abiding’ mother has one
One user revealed that her entire family now have ‘dodgy’ firesticks – including her mother, who is ‘the most stand up, middle-class person you could meet’
‘The sticks are brilliant, they have every channel under the sun and I think it’s a brilliant idea.
‘There’s also a whole support team so if I have any problems, I can just go straight to them and they sort it within minutes.’
When asked if they were concerned about their personal details being leaked or hacked, she was equally unconcerned.
‘Am I worried about being scammed? Not really. I’m worried every day about someone hacking my social media or bank accounts and I’m no more worried about that when using this device.’
As to whether it was morally wrong to use one, the user said she did not feel they were doing anything ‘massively wrong’.
She continued: ‘I won’t stop using it and I don’t believe the police could do anything. It’s not enforceable and I won’t go to prison just for having it.
‘My mum is the most stand up, middle-class person you could meet and she has one – she doesn’t think she’s doing anything massively wrong.
‘I’ve just signed up for another year, so no way am I getting rid of mine any time soon.
One user said they purchased a ‘dodgy’ firestick after streaming services became ‘unaffordable’
‘If the police should crack down on anyone it’s the streaming providers who have become so greedy that their services are just not affordable.’
Another user, who also asked to remain anonymous, also agreed that the rising cost of streaming had led to him getting an illegal stick.
He said: ‘With my stick I’m pretty much able to watch whatever I want without any restrictions. It’s a cheaper way to get all these shows everyone’s raving on about all the time.
‘I remember when it just used to be Netflix, but now you’ve got Amazon Prime, Disney, all these services and the shows are split up onto each.
‘With obviously the cost of living crisis it’s become unaffordable. I don’t know how people can afford to pay these ridiculous prices – so that’s why I have continued to use the device.
‘After getting scammed last year I was worried about using the stick again, but then a friend helped me change the settings and I felt more comfortable using it.’
Asked if he was concerned the authorities might come for him next, he said he has no qualms about using the device and is not ‘trying to be malicious’ in using one.
He said: ‘I’m not not really worried about that. Other people have been getting nicked for them, but I don’t see why they would come for me.
Sellers of ‘dodgy’ firesticks that allow people to illegally stream paid-for live sports and the latest films have been receiving an unexpected knock on the door amid a huge police crackdown on the devices across the UK
‘I understand on the people supplying them, but for someone like me, I’m a hard worker, I pay taxes, I’ve got a family now. People don’t pay the TV licence.
‘At the end of the day, you know, they’re not going to come here. They’re not.
‘They’ll maybe go to a few people’s house and be like you shouldn’t be doing that. But it’ll cost them more to start cracking down on people who are just using the sticks.
‘It’s not hurting anyone. I’m not trying to be malicious with it. It’s just unaffordable.
‘Why should I spend £50 a month just to watch TV shows, when for less than £100 I can watch whatever I want, whenever I want.’
Their comments come as police launched a clampdown across the UK on suppliers, including London, Cheshire, Kent, Sussex, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, the East and West Midlands, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Northumbria, and North Yorkshire.
Meanwhile, FACT issued a number of takedown requests to social media platforms and online marketplaces, further disrupting illegal IPTV activity.
Advertising for these services has also been removed from platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X.
Jonathan Edge, 29, from Liverpool, was jailed for three years and four months for uploading illegal content onto Firesticks following a private prosecution brought by the Premier League
Courts are increasingly imposing severe penalties for illegal streaming operations, as FACT today warned there would be consequences for those who continue to sell devices and provide services illegally.
Last month, a private prosecution undertaken by the Premier League resulted in Jonathan Edge, 29, from Liverpool, being jailed for three years and four months, after pleading guilty to three offences under the Fraud Act.
His prison term included a separate sentence for accessing and viewing the content he supplied.
An investigation discovered that Edge uploaded the content onto Firesticks and was paid cash in hand at his home.
He was warned on several occasions to stop, but continued to upload the illegal material.
Julian Nutter, defending, argued Edge was somewhat acting as a ‘Robin Hood’ figure by giving people who would struggle to afford a Sky subscription access to the games.
‘Whether or not he made a significant profit is an issue which is raised. The point should be made on his behalf that the people who would buy his products would not be people who are likely to have the money to buy a Sky subscription,’ Mr Nutter said.
‘They have limited income. The people he would be been dealing with in the Merseyside area would hardly be the same as toffs in London who would have money coming in from the city.
‘He was providing a service to people who would probably not be able to afford it otherwise. There’s an element of a Robin Hood to all that.’
After carrying out the prosecution, Premier League General Counsel, Kevin Plumb, said: ‘We will continue to pursue legal action against those supplying unauthorised access to Premier League football, regardless of the scale or mode of operation.
‘Ignoring warnings to stop only served to make the consequences worse for the individual.’
In a statement issued by FACT, Kieron Sharp, CEO, warned people who use these devices or services that Illegal streaming can expose their personal data, including banking details and sensitive information.
Additionally, it can introduce malware onto home devices.
Mr Sharp said: ‘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.’
FACT uses intelligence from Crimestoppers from anonymous reports from the public and works with sports rights holders and broadcast partners, including The Premier League, Sky, TNT Sports and Virgin Media, to investigate and prosecute anyone involved in intellectual property crimes.
