New campaign encourages people to provide information on dodgy box users and providers
Cody Gakpo of Liverpool heads the ball during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield in 2023. 'Dodgy box' is the informal term used for devices which provide access what would ordinarily be subscriber-only content, such as premium TV sports packages, illegally.
A new social media campaign has been launched to encourage people to share information on those selling so-called "dodgy boxes" and other illegal streaming services.
The campaign, which will run over six weeks on Facebook and Instagram, is a joint initiative of the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT), a prominent intellectual property protection organisation, and the UK-based charity Crimestoppers, which provides a service allowing people to report crimes anonymously.
The campaign's aim is to gather intelligence on individuals or groups involved in advertising or selling illegal streaming subscriptions, modified firesticks and "dodgy boxes".
"Dodgy box" is the informal term used for devices which provide access what would ordinarily be subscriber-only content, such as premium TV sports packages, illegally.
In most contexts, they are acquired directly from individuals possessing the know-how to unencrypt and adjust devices such as Amazon Fire Sticks — which are used to watch streaming services legitimately and legally — giving them the capability to deliver access to an array of premium content for free.
People who use these modified devices usually pay an annual subscription to the individuals who supplied them to ensure access to these illegal streaming packages — most often pay-per-view subscription TV channels — is be maintained.
In some cases, these black market streaming services have led to devices such as smart TVs, and laptops becoming infected with malware and buyers falling victim to identity theft and incurring financial loss as a result.
In February, FACT, which works with rights holders and broadcast companies such as Sky, the Premier League, Virgin Media, and others to investigate and prosecute intellectual property crimes, issued legal warnings to 22 Irish vendors of Fire Sticks and other smart tv devices with "dodgy box" capability.
FACT carried out similar enforcement operations in March and August of last year.
“Digital piracy is not a victimless crime. It often funds organised criminal groups and poses significant risks to consumers," said FACT ceo Kieron Sharp.
Mr Sharp added that the new campaign was "an important step in our ongoing efforts to combat illegal streaming in Ireland". He said the anonymity of anyone who does comes forward with information would be guaranteed.
"Using or providing illegal streams is dangerous for the consumer in terms of exposing them to scammers, and for those profiteering, they can pay a heavy price of time behind bars," a Crimestoppers spokesperson told the Irish Examiner.
“Piracy is a crime. The dangers to the family home are real for those who take the risk of using these criminal services. We should all pay our way fairly.
"Speak up if you know about the criminals involved."
