Kodi users are facing a fresh warning about using this popular TV player to stream content illegally.
The team behind the service have been distancing themselves from this shady online activity for some time and now they are giving users another reason to consider their actions.
In a new post on their website, Kodi is alerting users to danger of watching content without permission with the team saying: “Our simple advice is to apply the same judgement to your Kodi installation as you would to anything else in life.
“Before using any third party repository or add-on, take a moment to consider what you know about the authors, their reputation and what they are offering.
“Don’t be fooled by false promises and dodgy deals – in the end the person responsible for your devices’ safety and security is you.”
Kodi is totally legal but the player can be adapted, via so-called add-ons, which then offers the ability to watch premium content without permission.
Along with being highly illegal, some of these services have been found to contain malware which can then infect home networks.
In fact, a recent survey of 2,073 Americans by the Digital Citizens Alliance found 13 per cent reported that they have a device that offers pirated content in their home.
As part of its research survey, Digital Citizens asked Americans if they’ve had a problem with malware in the last 18 months.
Of those who said they didn’t have a piracy device in their home, just seven per cent reported an issue with malware.
Of those who said they did have a piracy device in their home, 44 per cent reported an issue with malware.
With all of these warnings, some may be wondering why Kodi still allows its platform to be so open and the team have also addressed this in their most recent post.
“One common question is why we don’t do more to combat piracy, especially given our zero tolerance policy towards support (or lack thereof, aside from attempts to completely remove from infected systems),” Kodi said in their blog.
“The simple answer is that we believe in user choice, and that if the user makes the conscious and informed decision that they want to use Kodi for such purposes then that is up to them. Similarly, any resultant technical or legal problems which may arise are also down to them, and there’s no liability or responsibility on Team Kodi for what a user has chosen to do.”
“For some reason users seem to willingly accept the most obviously dodgy deals on the internet, ones that they wouldn’t touch if offered in a pub car park, car boot sale or other “real world” environment.”
This latest Kodi update comes after another major streaming crackdown.
Last month at least four popular streaming services were forced to close their doors with 13 Clowns, Maverick TV and Overeasy all thought to be have been hit by the latest closures.
The shut down comes after police arrested a member of the public who is thought to have been running another popular Kodi add-on.
In a statement, North West Regional Organised Crime Unit said: “Today, officers from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit, working with FACT arrested a 40 year old man in Winsford in connection with creating and maintaining a Kodi ‘add-on’ directly linked to the supply of illegal online streams.
The scale of the offending was significant and affected broadcasters and rights owners in the UK and worldwide.
“Police searched an address, seized evidence, and interviewed the suspect has later been released on police bail pending investigation.
“The investigation followed a referral from FACT, the UK’s leading cyber investigations organisation.”
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