Massive Fire TV Stick update will finally block you from watching Sky for free

It's no secret that millions of homes are now tuning into premium content via so-called 'dodgy' Fire TV Sticks. These popular devices often come pre-loaded with unofficial apps which then let users tune into sports, movies and entertainment without paying for expensive subscriptions from platforms such as Sky and Virgin Media. With the cost-of-living crisis hurting wallets, more and more people have made the jump to illegal streaming, but it seems streaming the Premier League or viewing a blockbuster film is about to get much trickier.

Amazon has just announced a significant update to its Fire TV Sticks, which will instantly block any apps suspected of offering access to illegal streams. Until now, the US technology giant has allowed all applications to be sideloaded onto its devices without fear of any implications.

Although streaming apps can still be installed from outside Amazon's Appstore, users of illegal services will soon see a message informing them that the software they are using will be blocked due to it showing unauthorised content. The update won't affect services such as Disney+, Netflix, Sky's NOW, or Prime Video.

It's a seismic change that could finally put an end to homes watching premium content at a vastly reduced price or even for free.

Amazon is clearly aware that the move will be unpopular, but it seems the company no longer wants its products to be used illegally.

The change is also being led by Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), which aims to shut down global piracy operations.

"Piracy is illegal, and we've always worked to block it from our Appstore," an Amazon spokesperson told Express.co.uk.

"Through an expanded program led by the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), a global coalition fighting digital piracy, we'll now block apps identified as providing access to pirated content, including those downloaded from outside our Appstore.

"This builds on our ongoing efforts to support creators and protect customers, as piracy can also expose users to malware, viruses, and fraud."

Amazon says the update will start being rolled out in Europe first, with UK users being blocked at some point in the future.

Although this change will go some way to stopping illegal streaming, it won't fix the overall issue of why people are streaming illegally in the first place.

Top analyst Paolo Pescatore told Express.co.uk that the change is long-overdue" and the move is a "step in the right direction".

However, there is a broader problem: consumers are being forced to pay increasingly high subscription fees to access content.

"Broadcasters are spending more to secure live sports rights and passing these costs onto consumers who can't afford them, leading to a messy, fragmented experience," Pesctair added.

This latest update isn't the only change from Amazon. Its latest Fire TV Stick, which was announced last month, uns on a new operating system called Vega.

This change means only approved software can be installed on the device and unofficial applications won't work.

"For enhanced security, only apps from the Amazon Appstore on Fire TV are available for download," Amazon confirmed.

If you use a Fire TV Stick to stream illegally, it seems its days could be numbered.