November 2, 2025
Stream Wars: Pirates vs Plex Panic
Amazon to start blocking sideloaded piracy apps on Fire TVs
Fans split: ‘Stop the malware’ vs ‘Hands off my Plex’ while some say it’s not confirmed
TLDR: Amazon will reportedly warn then block Fire TV apps flagged by an anti-piracy group, aiming to stop unauthorized streaming. Commenters split: some cheer a malware cleanup, others fear Plex/Jellyfin creep or doubt the report, and many say they’ll just switch devices.
Amazon’s Fire TV is about to play hall monitor, with a reported plan to warn users and then block “pirate” apps — but the crowd isn’t buying popcorn, they’re grabbing pitchforks. Only The Sun is reporting it so far, and skeptics like rs186 are not convinced: “I’ll wait till this can be confirmed.” Others say the real story is less swashbuckling, more cyber hygiene. herpessimplex10 calls out that many of these apps behaved like malware, turning your stick into a “residential proxy,” i.e., letting strangers route traffic through your home network. Way to bury the lede, indeed.
Still, the slippery-slope sirens are blaring. add-sub-mul-div warns today’s “pirate” ban could tomorrow mean Plex or Jellyfin — fan-favorite apps people use to stream their own files. Amazon will reportedly compare installed apps against an ACE list (an anti-piracy coalition), then run a two-step removal: notify first, block later. Some shrug and say they’ll just buy another $25 streaming stick and move on, bloat-free. Others are cracking memes about Captain Bezos seizing the high seas while cinephiles clutch their home media. The mood: split between lock it down and hands off my setup, with a big side of “Is this even real?”
Key Points
- •Amazon will block apps on Fire TV devices that provide access to pirated content, including sideloaded apps, per The Sun.
- •Identification relies on comparing installed apps to a piracy list maintained by the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE).
- •A two-stage removal process will notify users first, then block the app after an unspecified period.
- •Earlier blocks this year were reportedly tied to apps’ use of resource-monetization services; updated versions without those services were unblocked.
- •The policy applies to Fire OS and Vega OS-based devices; sideloading of non-piracy apps remains allowed, with specific blocked apps not yet disclosed.