FACT has initiated a third wave of enforcement actions across Ireland aimed at curbing the sale of illegal access to premium TV content. The latest operation specifically targets individuals selling modified or ‘fully loaded’ smart TV devices, such as Amazon Fire Sticks.
As part of this operation, FACT and its partners have issued a total of 22 legal warnings, including ‘cease and desist’ notices delivered in person, by post, and via email. These notices instruct sellers of modified Fire Sticks to immediately cease all illegal streaming activities or face potential criminal prosecution.
Between January 22nd and February 2nd, addresses in various locations including Dublin, Cork, Meath, West Meath, Kilkenny, Clare, Limerick, Louth, Galway, and Monaghan have been targeted.
The enforcement actions have already yielded results, with the majority of illegal streaming services being shut down. Further measures will be taken against those who do not comply with the warnings.
Eddy Leviten, Chief Operating Officer at FACT, emphasized the seriousness of piracy as a crime and the risks it poses to consumers, including malware, data loss, and identity theft. FACT and its partners are committed to disrupting these illegal operations and will take additional law enforcement action against non-compliant parties.
This marks the third enforcement operation in Ireland following similar actions in March and August 2023, reflecting an ongoing effort to combat illegal streaming and protect consumers from associated risks.
Recent data from the BeStreamWise initiative reveals that one in three people in Ireland who engage in illegal streaming have experienced fraud, scams, or identity theft. Since the enforcement operations began last year, over 60 targets have been engaged with, resulting in the removal of illegal services and financial settlements with offenders. Legal action is being pursued against those who have not complied.
In a related case, two individuals were sentenced at Belfast Crown Court last September for the illegal sale of devices used for pirated TV channels and IPTV streaming services. Padraig McVicker received an eight-month prison sentence, while Gary Doherty was sentenced to 175 hours of community service.
Original announcement from FACT https://www.fact-uk.org.uk/fire-stick-sellers-targeted-in-enforcement-against-illegal-iptv-providers-across-ireland/