The Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) has contacted more than 1,000 people across the UK, warning them to stop using illegal TV streaming services or risk prosecution.
FACT said the emails and texts follow investigations carried out with police forces nationwide and form part of its wider effort to raise awareness of the risks linked to unauthorised streaming.
The organisation warned end users they are not anonymous, and said viewers who access illegal streaming services may be liable for criminal offences, including under Section 11 of the Fraud Act 2006.
The campaign follows the recent case of Jonathan Edge, from Liverpool, who was jailed for his role in running an illegal streaming service. Edge was sentenced to 3 years and 4 months in a prosecution supported by FACT and Merseyside Police. FACT said Edge’s own use of the unauthorised service was treated as a separate offence, resulting in a concurrent sentence of 2 years and 3 months, underlining that criminal action can extend beyond suppliers to end users.
FACT said that during investigations into Edge and into operators of another illegal streaming service, police seized customer details from people who had bought access to so-called “loaded” Firesticks, Android or Kodi devices. Those customers have now been contacted directly, warning them of the dangers of continuing to use illegal services.
FACT chairman Kieron Sharp said the campaign was designed to make clear that end users are breaking the law and face “real” risks, including criminal liability, scams, viruses and harmful content, urging people to use legitimate providers.
T/DCI Alethea Fowler of the Tarian Regional Organised Crime Unit said end users face risks including loss of personal data and potential fire hazards, while also funding serious organised crime. She said the unit would continue working with partners including FACT to identify distributors and bring them to justice.
FACT thanked its law enforcement partners, including Merseyside Police, Tarian and the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit, for supporting efforts to tackle wider criminal networks linked to illegal streaming.
