Amazon’s Fire TV Sticks, known for their easy access to premium entertainment like movies and sports at a fraction of traditional subscription costs, are facing a crackdown on illegal streaming. Amazon has announced a stringent measure to block unofficial apps facilitating access to pirated content on these devices.

An Amazon spokesperson stated that piracy is illegal, and they have always taken steps to prevent it on their Appstore. Working with the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), they will now block apps identified for enabling access to pirated content, even those downloaded from sources outside the Appstore.

While the enforcement is yet to be fully implemented, customers are already receiving warning messages on their screens. Suspect apps trigger alerts informing users that the software has been flagged for providing unauthorized content access, prompting them to uninstall the app.

Although users can still access the flagged apps, the warnings indicate Amazon’s detection of the activity, hinting at potential bans in the future. The timeline for the complete block is unspecified, but the rollout will begin in Europe, with UK devices anticipated to be affected later.

While the crackdown aims to curb illegal streaming, it overlooks the underlying issue of escalating subscription costs. Media analyst Paolo Pescatore commended the move as overdue but cautioned about the financial burden on consumers due to rising fees driven by broadcasters securing live sports rights and passing on costs to viewers.