These Amazon Fire TV apps are being blocked for promoting piracy

In a decisive move to combat piracy on its Fire TV platform, Amazon has begun blocking several streaming applications that have been found to promote unauthorized access to DRM-protected content. The affected apps include Blink Streamz, Flix Vision, Live NetTV, and Ocean Streamz. This action comes in response to mounting criticism regarding the company’s previous inaction against piracy.

New Restrictions on Streaming Apps

Reports from YouTuber TechDoctorUK and AFTVNews indicate that users attempting to open or sideload these applications are met with a warning message on their Fire TV devices. This alert cautions that using these apps could jeopardize both the device’s functionality and the user’s personal data. The warning is accompanied by options to Keep or Uninstall the app, although the Keep option is grayed out, effectively forcing users to remove the app.

While the Fire TV does not automatically delete these applications, the uncertainty surrounding their future functionality adds to the frustration for users. The warning about potential risks to personal data suggests that Amazon is also prioritizing user privacy, hinting that some of the blocked apps may harbor malware. For instance, Flix Vision has been reported to exploit device resources, such as the CPU, for the developers’ gain.

Despite the clear implications of these actions, Amazon has not publicly detailed the specific reasons behind the blocking of these apps. The company has been approached for comment, and updates will be provided should a response be received.

The recent crackdown comes amid significant scrutiny of Amazon’s handling of piracy on its platform. Analysts from Enders Analysis have criticized the company for allowing piracy to proliferate on an “industrial scale.” Additionally, Sky, a major UK broadcaster, has accused Amazon of failing to curb illegal streaming activities that have reportedly resulted in substantial financial losses for the company.

Sky’s chief operating officer, Nick Herm, has claimed that over half of the Fire TV devices sold in the UK are illegal jailbroken units. While addressing the issue of jailbroken devices may prove to be a daunting challenge, Amazon’s latest actions could provide some respite from the ongoing backlash it has faced regarding piracy.

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AppWizard
These Amazon Fire TV apps are being blocked for promoting piracy