Kodi alert – Why users will now find it much harder to view illegal streams

Kodi users who attempt to view certain content online without permission may soon be stopped in their tracks.

A new crackdown from FACT and the Premier League is aiming to prevent the illegal supply of sports streams in the UK.

Although much of this content has already faced a block, FACT and the Premier League say they will continue to monitor any ongoing offending and will escalate enforcement activity for persistent offenders.

Just last month investigators and UK law enforcement agencies attended sixteen premises across the UK serving Cease and Desist notices to individuals suspected of supplying illegal sports streaming content.

Speaking about the latest crackdown, Kieron Sharp, FACT Chief Executive said: “This is just one of the tactics we deploy against people committing offences that affect sports rights holders and broadcasters.

“We have a programme of continuous activity targeting different elements of the global piracy landscape, with consideration given to the scale of the offending so that the most effective and proportionate response is deployed.

“The message is clear. If you are involved in any way in providing illegal streaming services, on any scale, you are not invisible or immune from action from FACT, rights owners and law enforcement.

“We would like to thank all the police units and the GAIN for their assistance in this successful initiative and look forward to further collaboration in the future.”

This isn’t the first time FACT and the Premier League have joined forces.

Earlier this year three sellers of illegal streaming devices from a pirate streaming organisation were given a combined total of 17 years imprisonment for defrauding the Premier League, some of the longest sentences for piracy-related crimes

Although there are a number of ways to access these illegal streams, Kodi continues to be one of the most popular.

This is mainly due to the option of installing add-ons which then offer instant access to premium sports, movie and entertainment without paying.

Kodi doesn’t back these services and has actually distanced itself from this online activity.

In fact, in a recent post on its website, Kodi alerted users to the danger of watching content online 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.”

This warning has partly been pushed out due to the increase in illegal streamers finding they’ve been attacked by cybercriminals.

According to a Digital Citizens research survey of 2,073 Americans, 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.

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