- Amazon is beginning to actively block apps identified as providing access to pirated content.
- The block applies at the device level and affects all Fire TV Sticks globally
- Since the blocking is on the device itself, using a VPN will not bypass the restrictions.
In a major move to combat digital piracy, Amazon has begun the global rollout of a new system designed to block unauthorized downloaded apps on its popular Fire TV Stick devices.
The crackdown targets so-called “dodgy” or “fully charged” Fire Sticks that have been modified to stream premium movies, TV shows and live sports illegally, and comes with a twist that neutralizes a common workaround.
The practice of “loading,” installing apps from outside of Amazon’s official Appstore, has allowed users to access a wide variety of piracy-enabled services for years.
While Amazon has always policed its own store, this marks a major escalation as the company will now actively prevent these third-party apps from working directly on the device, a strategy developed in partnership with the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), a global anti-piracy coalition.
This new measure will affect all Fire TV devices, not just new models, through software updates.
Users who rely on downloaded apps for illicit streaming will find these apps disabled, effectively ending the era of the ‘dodgy Fire Stick’ as a reliable hacking tool.
The move comes as a clear statement of intent from the tech giant to protect creators and protect customers from security risks, such as malware and viruses, that often accompany pirated content.
Preventing solutions
For years, many streamers have used the best VPN services to mask their IP addresses and bypass geo-restrictions or hide their activity from Internet service providers.
However, this popular privacy tool will be completely ineffective against Amazon’s new anti-piracy measures. Blocking does not occur at the network level, where a VPN could redirect traffic; instead, it is being implemented directly into the Fire TV operating system.
Because the device itself will be responsible for identifying and disabling unauthorized applications, a VPN’s ability to change a user’s virtual location and encrypt their connection is irrelevant. The application will simply be prevented from running, regardless of what the network traffic looks like. This device-level approach is a more robust and permanent solution to the piracy problem that has plagued the platform.
The crackdown is also linked to a broader shift in Amazon’s strategy. Newer devices, like the Fire TV Stick 4K Select, ship with Vega OS, a new operating system that moves away from the easily modifiable Android-based Fire OS.
This new system is more locked down, making it much more difficult for users to install any software that is not explicitly approved or included in the Amazon app store.
While this global lockdown will inevitably receive some backlash from users who have come to rely on these devices for free content, Amazon is prioritizing its legal obligations and relationships with content creators.
For the vast majority of Fire TV Stick owners who use the device to stream legitimate services like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon’s Prime Video, nothing will change. But for those navigating the high seas of digital piracy, the tide is officially turning.
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