The FireStick for Amazon TVs is a smart remote with a lot of features. At the same time, after the purchase, some users make a “jailbreak” of the remote control, which allows them to access a variety of free content, including live broadcasts.
“Jailbreak” is an operation with a device that gives access to its operating system and all functions.
The very idea of “jailbreak” attracts many users. But there are those among them who doubt the need for this action. The main concern is that when using a jailbroken device, you can get much more problems than benefits. Whether this is so, it is worthwhile to figure it out in advance.
Until recently, there was no information that someone received serious problems for using a cracked FireStick. On the one hand, the “jailbreak” itself is not an illegal procedure. However, thanks to him, users get access to content protected by copyright. And this is already illegal and threatens with a fine or a prison term. In practice, however, law enforcement agencies are more likely to try to punish distributors, rather than ordinary people.
What You Need to Know About FireStick Remote Jailbreak
The word itself only seems to be something incomprehensible and unknown. However, it is well known to all those who work in the field of modern technology. A jailbreak is the process of removing software restrictions on a particular device.
Thanks to this hack, the user can install applications, extensions and software on the device that are initially prohibited by the factory version. Speaking specifically about the Amazon FireStick, in this case, the hack allows you to install applications that are not in the Amazon AppStore.
How legal is the FireStick jailbreak
This question is of interest to many. In fact, the FireStick jailbreak is completely legal. This was officially documented back in 2018. Although before that, many companies agreed that such a hacking of their devices is illegal, as it makes changes to the operating system and, therefore, violates copyrights.
On the one hand, the company can be understood. Changing the operating system allows users to end up with a competing product. That is why companies are negatively disposed towards jailbreak.
In 2010, jailbreaking was removed from the list of illegal hacks and became completely legal.
Is it safe to hack FireStick?
Amazon goes to great lengths to ensure that all of their devices are secure. Therefore, the AppStore contains only safe and verified applications. When a user jailbreaks a FireStick, the operating system becomes vulnerable.
As a result, there is a risk of installing a third-party application that contains malware that is used to steal personal data. It is also worth considering that some applications that are not in the AppStoreAmazon may not be optimized to work with the company’s devices. Downloading and installing them will result in constant FireStick freezes, as well as more serious problems.
Is streaming legal?
Streaming content itself means watching something that is not completely downloaded to the device. If the user broadcasts, then he uses the Internet for this, but the content itself is located on a separate server. When paying for a streaming service, it is already legal.
Another thing is when it comes to using a device to stream illegal content. This happens when the owner of the content does not give his consent to its use. This is about copyright infringement. And this difference should always be known. The fact is that if a hacked FireStick is used in violation of copyright, then this is a violation of the law and can face a prison term, as well as an impressive fine. Moreover, we are talking only about when the content is used without monetary gain. Otherwise, the punishment will be more severe.
In addition, streaming may be illegal if the user uses it publicly and shows it to a large number of people. For example, if a bar owner using a hacked FireStick broadcasts in his establishment for visitors or shows pirated films, then he breaks the law and can be punished.
Is there a risk of getting serious problems for using a hacked FireStick
By and large, if we take the United States as an example, then here not a single streamer has had problems with the law. Yes, there is a case in the UK where over 200 people were fined for subscribing to a pirated service giving access to many popular streaming services.
However, this is a separate case. And you should understand that using a hacked remote control and buying an illegal subscription are completely different things. In the United States, if people were punished, it was only in cases where they tried to make money on a jailbreak:
- Even 10 years ago in 2012 in Michigan, a man was arrested for copyright infringement. The fact is that he connected illegal live broadcasts of sports matches and took money from other users for watching.
- The next incident happened in 2019. Then eight people appeared in the dock at once. They were accused of creating a group that created two major illegal TV streaming services.
- A year later, American detectives were able to arrest four people who were illegally selling cracked FireSticks. This is exactly the case when using a hacked remote is legal, but selling it for profit is not.
Some government officials tried to put pressure on citizens and stated that anyone who uses a hacked FireStick is breaking the law and can be punished. However, here the matter did not go further than words, and in general it was more like an attempt to intimidate people.
Many users understood this too. After all, it is obvious that representatives of the law will not go door to door and look for people using hacked FireSticks. The police certainly have enough other cases without it.
In addition, the vast majority of users use a hacked device only to watch movies and TV shows at home, and not try to make money on broadcasts.
Using a VPN with a Hacked FireStick
Most often, for security purposes, users set up a hacked FireStick using a virtual private network, known to everyone as a VPN. Thanks to this, people manage to hide their IP address and all personal information from search engines. With a VPN, the user makes it impossible to identify and determine their location.
Thus, the FireStick jailbreak is a relatively safe and completely legal way to access streaming at home. Of course, this is relevant only if the user uses the hacked device for non-mercenary purposes and does not show the content to a large number of people.