### Big Tech's Inaction Fuels Illegal Streaming, Study Says

A recent report by Enders Analysis has criticized major tech companies for their inaction in combating the rampant piracy of premium video services, particularly live sports. The report faults Amazon, Google, Meta, and Microsoft for their "ambivalence and inertia," highlighting the significant revenue loss for broadcasters and the increased cybercrime risks for consumers.

Authored by Gareth Sutcliffe and Ollie Meir, the report singles out the Amazon Fire Stick as a major "piracy enabler". While Amazon claims to remain "vigilant in our efforts to combat piracy," the report criticizes the device for enabling widespread access to illegal streams, particularly of live sports events. The report emphasizes that sports broadcasting is a lucrative industry, with the global value of media rights exceeding $60 billion in the past year.

Illegal streams have become a common workaround for fans facing the high costs of multiple streaming services needed to watch their favorite teams. Enders' study points out that high-profile events can attract tens of thousands of viewers through illegal streams, exacerbating the financial crisis faced by rights holders like Sky and DAZN. Nick Herm, COO of Sky Group, expressed the need for quicker and more coordinated actions from tech platforms and government to help protect the creative industries.

The report also warns of the risks consumers face when using illegal streams. Information such as credit card details and email addresses can be compromised, making users vulnerable to malware and phishing attacks. Although some supporters argue that lowering the price of legal sports streaming would mitigate these risks, the current state of affairs leaves consumers exposed.

Enders Analysis concentrated on the European market and scrutinized the role of Amazon, Google, Meta, and Microsoft. Meta's platforms were criticized for hosting advertisements for illegal streams, while the technologies of Amazon, Google, and Microsoft were blamed for facilitating the increase in piracy. Specific incidents were cited, including the case of a Liverpool man jailed for selling reconfigured Fire Stick devices that enabled illegal streaming of Premier League matches.

Sky's data from the first quarter of the year showed that 59% of UK users who had watched pirated content via a physical device reported using an Amazon Fire product. The report claims that the Fire Stick is instrumental in enabling “billions of dollars in piracy." The spokesperson from Amazon reaffirmed their commitment to combatting piracy and warned customers against installing unknown applications. Additionally, Amazon stated they have made changes to Fire devices to make illegal streaming more difficult.

The report also highlighted the declining effectiveness of Digital Rights Management (DRM) systems from Google and Microsoft, contributing to the ongoing piracy issue.