Sky TV block as new crackdown disrupts UK homes from watching content for free

It’s no secret that millions of us have switched away from paying a monthly fee for watching premium TV and moved to illegal streams instead. Devices such as so-called “dodgy Fire TV Sticks” have boomed in popularity with many offering full access to sports and movies for a small yearly payment - some even show streams for free.

Of course, this rise in viewing without paying the correct fees hasn’t gone unnoticed.

Authorities and content providers are not only warning consumers about the dangers of streaming illegally but also trying to shut down unofficial streaming services, and the latest crackdown has done exactly that.

It’s been confirmed that a recent operation has fully disrupted an illegal streaming platform, with two people in their 30s also arrested.

A team from the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) searched two residential addresses in Oldbury and a data centre in Cheltenham.

A 30-year-old man, who they suspect ran the illegal streaming service, and a 32-year-old woman who is suspected of distributing material infringing copyright and receiving criminal property were both taken into custody.

An investigation by PIPCU suggests that the man and woman received significant profits derived from the service. Along with making those arrests, content servers have also been seized, which means they are no longer transmitting streams to those who may have signed up.

Speaking about the latest arrests, Detective Constable Daryl Fryatt, from the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) at City of London Police, said:

“This activity should serve as a reminder that PIPCU will pursue criminals who seek to profit from illegal streaming and disrupt their operations. This is a crime that diverts funds away from the creative and entertainment industries, money that supports thousands of technical and support staff. At the same time, it exposes end users to the risks of data theft, fraud and malware.”

And Matt Hibbert, Group Director of Anti-Piracy at Sky, added: “We are extremely grateful to the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit for taking this action against a significant pirate operation.

"We will continue to work alongside the police and industry partners to tackle piracy and disrupt the criminal networks behind it. This action helps to keep consumers safe from the serious risks that piracy can pose to devices and personal property.”

What are the dangers of streaming content illegally?

There are plenty of concerns about homes watching content without using official channels.

Although it's highly unlikely that anyone viewing illegal streams will ever face jail time, it's worth remembering that using dodgy Fire TV Sticks or other streaming devices can expose people to malware and inappropriate content. It's also often funding criminal gangs so whilst it might seem like a good deal it does not come risk free.