Research firm Enders Analysis accuses Amazon Fire Stick devices of enabling billions of dollars worth of streaming piracy. The report also criticizes outdated DRM technologies from Google and Microsoft as contributing factors.
G. Ostrov
According to a new report from research firm Enders Analysis, Amazon Fire Stick devices are enabling "billions of dollars" worth of streaming piracy. The study also points to technologies from other major corporations, including Microsoft, Google, and Facebook, as contributing to what researchers call "industrial scale theft."
The Jailbroken Fire Stick Problem
The report titled "Video piracy: Big tech is clearly unwilling to address the problem" focuses on the European market but highlights the global growth of streaming service piracy, particularly for live programs such as sporting events.
Fire Stick devices are named as a significant contributor to streaming piracy. According to Nick Herm, COO of Sky Group (owned by Comcast), Fire Sticks account "for about half of the piracy in the UK."
Role of Tech Giants
Enders' report places some blame on Facebook for showing advertisements for access to illegal streams, as well as Google and Microsoft for the alleged "continued depreciation" of their digital rights management (DRM) systems, Widevine and PlayReady, respectively.
The report authors note that over twenty years since launch, the DRM solutions provided by Google and Microsoft are in steep decline. A complete overhaul of the technology architecture, licensing, and support model is needed.
Economic Impact
DAZN's head of global rights, Tom Burrows, from the world's largest European soccer streamer, stated that streaming piracy is "almost a crisis for the sports rights industry." Nick Herm estimated that piracy was costing his company "hundreds of millions of dollars" in revenue.
Anti-Piracy Measures
In the UK, there has been a push to crack down on illegal usage of Fire Sticks. In November 2024, a man received a three-year, four-month sentence for hacking Fire Sticks. In June 2024, another man got a two-year suspended sentence after police found jailbroken Fire Sticks in his home.
Amazon states that it works with industry partners and relevant authorities to combat piracy and protect customers from the risks associated with pirated content.
For more information, visit Amazon's official website.
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