Amazon has, for the first time, begun blocking apps used for illegal streaming of pirated TV content on its TV platform, Fire TV. But that may not be the whole story.
Earlier this year, a report from Enders Analysis placed much of the blame for rising TV piracy on tech giants like Amazon, Google and Microsoft.
Enders Analysis argued that Amazon is not doing enough to prevent piracy apps on its Fire TV platform, while Google and Microsoft are failing to keep their widely used DRM solutions up to date.
Amazon Fire TV removes piracy apps
In a statement to BBC, Amazon promised to do more to prevent piracy apps, and over the past week users around the world have reported that at least 4 well-known piracy apps, sideloaded onto Fire TV devices, were blocked at the system level.
According to AFTVNews and TechDoctorUK, this is the first time Amazon has used its blacklist tool on Fire TV to block piracy apps. Until now, the tool had only been used to block apps that take over the user interface (the launcher) or reconfigure the remote control buttons.
It is similarly possible to sideload apps on Google TV.
Users are met with this message on screen when they try to open the blocked piracy apps. Photo: AFTVNews
May not be the whole story
However, AFTVNews points out that this may not be the full story. At least 2 of the blocked apps have been found to use the device's CPU and network traffic to generate revenue in various ways. This is 'riskware', which could potentially give criminals access to the user's device and network.
When the industry warns about the dangers of piracy apps and websites, it is not always just scare tactics. These types of security breaches and monetization methods through fake ad clicks, among others, are well documented.
Compromised devices sometimes become part of large botnets that can be reconfigured by cybercriminals to perform desired tasks.
The beginning of something bigger
Regardless of Amazon's motives, pressure is mounting on the company to combat illegal streaming on the Fire TV platform. To lawmakers and industry groups, Amazon can now demonstrate that it is actively addressing the issue, while potentially telling users a different story.
Nonetheless, Amazon is moving toward a goal of locking down its TV platform. By switching from Android, which currently underpins Fire TV, to its own Vega OS later in 2025, Amazon will require all apps to be approved.
All apps must be rewritten for Vega OS-based Fire TV devices, and sideloading will likely no longer be possible.
- Source: AFTVNews, TechDoctorUK
