The Jolly Streamer
We’ve written lots of blogs recently to inform our members about streaming and how the video industry is evolving. As with many other technologies, evolution and advancement often lead to opportunities for new features and benefits. But… it can also open the door to scams and fraud.
The video industry isn’t immune to this type of activity and pirating content goes back far as “camcorders” or “bootleggers” as they may have been called that would secretly film movies in the theater and then sell illegal copies on the street.
Today with streaming, we’ve seen new opportunities for scammers to acquire content in different ways and then distribute it through various sources, including apps that use third party networks to deliver these services. For HTC members, you’ve read the years of rate increase letters and understand that video (Cable TV) isn’t cheap and that costs continue to rise each year. Even with new legit entrants into the market (YouTube TV, DirecTV, Hulu Live, etc.), these services still approach the $80-$100 range for standard video packages.
Imagine now seeing the opportunity for a $20 video package that provides unlimited access to movies, shows and live TV, including sports. Seems very enticing to be able to get all this entertainment for less than the cost of a pizza, right? As tempting as this may be, your senses should be on high alert because this looks “too good to be true.”
While you may actually get this video package, let’s take a moment to tell you what you are really getting and the serious risk that are not advertised.
Often these packages require you to purchase equipment from whomever is selling this service or they take your equipment and load an app onto it. This is often done on a FireTV stick that is “jailbroken.” The term jailbroken refers to the process of being able to sideload an app on to the device. You may ask why do you need to sideload the app onto the device versus just downloading directly from Amazon. If you asked that, your senses should already be up and on guard. It’s a great question because apps that are sideloaded are often not approved to be in the Amazon store for download.
If Amazon hasn’t approved the app, there is a reason, and most likely it could be due to security issues or that the app is allowing potential illegal activity. In the case of these video apps that allow you to get a video package for $20, most often these services are violating copyright law because they have purchased a single video package from a provider and are using multiple servers to redistribute this content to whomever buys their package.
This is simply illegal and falls under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). This act was passed in 1998 and makes it illegal to bypass digital locks or protections on movies, music, software or devices. Point in case: the $20 jailbroken FireTV stick that is used to stream pirated content.
Content owners and programmers often require ISPs such as HTC to use processes that help prevent this illegal activity. If notified, and per HTC’s Acceptable Use Policy, Internet members are warned or could even have their service suspended. And on a personal level, members who use these illegal services could also find themselves in hot water with federal officials. As an innocent purchaser you may be less likely to face charges, but the risk isn’t zero.
To compound the issue, jailbroken equipment provides many security risks because it disables built-in protections and allows for malicious apps to be loaded, which can lead to personal data (passwords, banking info, photos, etc.) being stolen.
In the words of the infamous Streambeard, “A deal too sweet is the Kraken in disguise.”
Next Up in the Streaming 101 Series: Streaming Your Way to the Perfect Fright Night
