This week, a British court sentenced the person behind a large-scale illegal broadcast to two and a half years in prison.
The case, led by West Mercia Police, revealed the operation raised a staggering £1 million over five years.
Stephen MillsThe 58-year-old Shrewsbury resident was found guilty of running a sophisticated streaming service, specifically broadcasting Premier League matches to an alleged base of more than 30,000 subscribers, through dedicated apps on Amazon’s Fire TV devices.
In these types of cases, illegal platforms either sell “jailbroken” Firesticks with the illegal IPTV app already installed, or provide instructions on how to install these apps on customers’ existing streaming devices (see below on how to identify illegal Fire TV IPTV apps Legal/services).
The ruling follows a careful investigation by the Premier League, West Mercia Police and the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT).
Milling process, disguised under brand names pickabox And Epitifyused Fire TV devices to provide a wide range of sports and entertainment content through a specially designed app.
This case highlights the rigorous and sophisticated nature of digital piracy networks, and the significant financial gains at stake – with many customers not even realizing they are doing something illegal.
Investigation and removal process
Mills traded under assumed names, and showed great cunning in evading detection. By using virtual private networks (VPNs) and sending bundles of cash to suppliers, he was able to operate under the radar for a long time.
His modus operandi also included creating educational videos to help his clients access illegal streams, further highlighting the sophisticated, customer-oriented nature of modern-day hacking operations.
After the investigation, a series of raids were carried out, leading to the identification of more than 1,000 agents.
The enforcement action saw officials from the police and FACT reaching out to these individuals at their homes, serving notices to stop illegal broadcasting activities.
Furthermore, a unique aspect of Mills’ conviction was the separate charge of personally accessing the illegal content he was distributing.
The court recognized his use of unauthorized service as a separate crime, deserving of a separate prison sentence.
This aspect of the case shows how carefully the legal system punishes different parts of digital piracy, not only after sharing, but also watching illegal content.
The fight against IPTV across the UK and Ireland
With the increasing popularity of streaming services, the term “IPTV” has become somewhat confusing – as it relates to both legal and illegal services.
Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) is simply the name of the technology that delivers television content over the Internet, rather than traditional terrestrial, satellite, or cable television formats.
So, any streaming service over IPTV works – Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, etc. These IPTV-based services are of course legal, and pay the necessary royalties to the content providers.
However, many unauthorized services also present themselves as “IPTV”, and the term has unfortunately become synonymous with those illegal services that sometimes appear online, available either via websites or on “jailbreaks”. Streaming devices.
These unauthorized services often offer pirated content, including premium TV channels, movies and live sporting events, without obtaining proper permissions or paying the content owners.
In the UK, the use and distribution of unlicensed IPTV services is illegal and can result in severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment.
The sentencing of Stephen Mills resonates with a series of recent IPTV-related busts across the UK and Ireland, highlighting the broad and ongoing battle against digital piracy.
Among them, a recent case involving Sky Assistance, where… The individuals were arrested and sentenced to prison To distribute Sky content without permission.
BT Sport scheme fails From earlier this year, the Arrests made in Scotland IPTV streaming also paints a stark picture of the widespread nature of digital piracy.
Understanding Jailbroken Firesticks and Illegal IPTV Apps
Amazon’s Fire TV devices are popular devices for streaming entertainment, but they can also be modified to access unauthorized content through a process known as jailbreaking.
It’s important to note that jailbreaking or “sideloading” unofficial apps is not illegal – many people use these methods to install “safe” apps and add interesting functionality to Fire TV devices.
However, this process also allows users to install third-party apps that provide free access to premium content such as Premier League matches.
The jailbreak process is fairly simple, which is part of its appeal.
By changing certain settings on the device and installing certain apps, users can access a wider range of content – sometimes without being fully aware that they are watching illegal content.
While the idea of free access to premium content may seem attractive, it comes with significant risks.
First, accessing or distributing content without the necessary licenses is illegal and can result in fines or even imprisonment, as highlighted by the recent conviction of Steven Mills.
Additionally, jailbroken devices are more vulnerable to malware and other security threats.
Unauthorized third-party apps lack the security measures found in legitimate apps, potentially exposing users to malware that can put personal data and privacy at risk.
Identify illegal IPTV websites/apps
Illegal IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) websites and apps offer streaming services without proper licensing, often providing access to premium content for free or at a significantly reduced cost.
These platforms are recognizable by offering content that typically requires a subscription, at no cost or at prices that seem too good to be true.
They may also lack professional websites or user agreements, and their performance or quality may be poor compared to legitimate services.
Avoid illegal streaming
When purchasing a Firestick, it is important to purchase from reputable retailers to ensure that the device is not changed.
If your Firestick is advertised with pre-installed third-party apps or promises free access to premium content, it’s likely jailbroken.
It is also advisable to avoid IPTV websites and apps that provide unauthorized access to premium content. Stick to well-known and reputable streaming services to ensure a safe and legal viewing experience.
Legal and industrial reactions
Legal and industry stakeholders hailed the sentencing of Stephen Mills as a tremendous step in the right direction.
Kevin PlumbThe Premier League General Counsel stressed the importance of public awareness regarding the illegal nature and criminal consequences associated with the use of illicit streaming services:
“It is important that the public continues to be made aware of the risks and criminality associated with the use of illegal streaming services.
“We recognize that so-called ‘Firesticks’ are being sold as a means of illegally accessing all types of content, and today’s ruling should remove any doubt that they are illegal and taken seriously by the courts.”
Likewise, Detective Inspector Matt McNelis And Kieron SharpCEO of FACT, highlighted a collaborative approach as crucial in tackling this form of criminality.
For more updates and news about TV and live streaming, Subscribe to our free newsletter.