Amazon has begun taking stronger action against illegal streaming by blocking apps linked to piracy on its Fire TV Stick devices. The move applies to both new and older models and has already started in France and Germany, with a global rollout planned in the coming weeks.
Streaming sticks such as the Fire TV Stick have often been used for accessing pirated sports streams. This usually happens when users install unauthorized third party apps through side loading. These apps offer access to illegal platforms at lower prices than official broadcasters.
Reports said that the Amazon’s latest action will stop piracy apps at the device level. This means users will not be able to bypass restrictions by using a VPN or other methods.
The crackdown comes shortly after Amazon introduced the Fire TV Stick 4K Select. This new model runs on Linux, unlike earlier versions that used Android software. The company says the device has stronger security features and only allows downloads from the official Amazon app store.
A statement shared by Amazon through an unnamed spokesperson said, “Piracy is illegal and we have always worked to block it from our app store… We will now block apps identified as providing access to pirated content, including those downloaded from outside our app store. This builds on our ongoing efforts to support creators and protect customers, as piracy can also expose users to malware, viruses and fraud.”
A recent survey showed that about nine percent of adults in the United Kingdom streamed sports illegally in 2025. This represents nearly 4.7 million people and is an increase of around two hundred thousand compared to a similar survey conducted two years earlier. The survey was carried out by a market research firm and commissioned by a common publication.
The findings also revealed that Fire Sticks are the second most used method for watching pirated sports content in the United Kingdom. Unauthorized websites remain the top option, with forty two percent of respondents choosing them, while thirty one percent said they used plug in devices.
Amazon’s new restrictions are expected to reduce the use of illegal apps and tighten security across its streaming ecosystem.
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