How new Amazon Fire TV Stick could mean major crackdown against ‘dodgy boxes’

This could spell the end for dodgy box users

A new move from Amazon might spell the end of those illegally streaming sport, movies and TV shows on dodgy boxes.

As well as there being a major crackdown on the illegal use of devices in recent times, with the Federation against Copyright Theft (FACT) working alongside Gardai, a new device could scupper users.

The release of a new Amazon Fire TV Stick, which uses an in-house Amazon system called Vega, will prevent hackers from downloading illegal apps that are used to stream the content.

James Bore, a cybersecurity expert, told the Metro: “It’s going to cause a problem for the people who create these apps.”

However, Bore insisted people will now switch to non-Amazon devices.

“People are just going to switch to non-Amazon devices, as this will only prevent those specific devices from being used for illegal streaming.”

GAA wants tougher legislation on dodgy boxes

The GAA wants tougher legislation to crack down on illegal streaming devices, known as ‘dodgy boxes,’ which it says are significantly impacting its streaming revenue.

Noel Quinn, head of the streaming platform GAA+, told an Oireachtas Committee that piracy severely impacts the organisation’s ability to generate income online, with an estimated 400,000 dodgy boxes in use across Ireland.

GAA+ and the League of Ireland’s streaming platform LOITV both said the use of dodgy boxes is restricting growth and grassroots investment.

The illegal devices, which are often modified Amazon Fire TV Sticks, allow users to access premium TV channels without paying the proper subscription fees. Packages start at around €50 per year.

Quinn said: “In recent times, what the GAA would have done would have been to monitor and actually send cease and desists to particular individuals who are carrying out illegal processes. Stronger legislation to go after people who are selling dodgy fire sticks and codes would be something that’s very helpful.”