Crime & Safety
Amazon Fire TV Stick users report getting on-screen warning
Late last year, the tech giant began blocking apps identified as helping users gain illegal access to pirated content.
At the time, an Amazon spokesperson said: “Piracy is illegal, and we’ve always worked to block it from our Appstore.
“Through an expanded program led by the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), a global coalition fighting digital piracy, we’ll now block apps identified as providing access to pirated content, including those downloaded from outside our Appstore.
“This builds on our ongoing efforts to support creators and protect customers, as piracy can also expose users to malware, viruses, and fraud.”
Initially, customers received notifications about any apps identified as facilitating piracy and were given the option to uninstall.
Now these apps are being blocked entirely, making them impossible to download/install.
Fire Stick users getting on-screen warning as fears grow of more blocked apps
A message has now begun appearing on select Fire TV Sticks, which has users concerned that all sideloaded apps (those from sources outside the official Appstore) have been blocked.
The message, according to AFTVnews, reads: “Unauthorized APK installation detected. Please do not install performance benchmark APKs without permission from deviceprot@amazon.com.”
AFTVnews added: “There has been a new surge of this happening over the last couple of weeks.
“The recent uptick in this issue seems to specifically be on new Fire TV Smart TVs from TCL, but it can affect any Fire TV model.”
The tech experts explain that this message is an error and was never meant for regular Fire TV Stick users.
It was designed for Amazon’s internal testers to stop them from accidentally leaking details about unreleased Fire TV devices through benchmarking apps.
So why are regular users now seeing this message? There are two reasons:
- They bought a used Fire TV that was previously used for internal Amazon testing.
- Their new Fire TV was mistakenly flagged as an internal testing unit due to a registration or software error.
‘Unauthorized APK Installation Detected’ message blocks all sideloading on Fire TVs, but it’s not what you think https://t.co/YFOk3UTLEF
— AFTVnews (@AFTVnews) April 9, 2026
What to do if you get “unauthorized APK installation” message
Unfortunately for users, there is no way to fix the issue yourself – even a factory reset won’t work.
If you are seeing the “unauthorized APK installation” message, AFTVnews recommends contacting Amazon customer support (be sure to have your full device serial number and the message).
The tech experts continue: “You should keep the device powered on and connected to the internet.
“Try sideloading something every few days to see if the message has gone away.”
Crackdown on ‘dodgy’ Fire Sticks intensifies
The ongoing crackdown on the use of ‘dodgy’ Fire Sticks in the UK continues to intensify.
Illegal TV Fire Sticks and/or ‘dodgy boxes’ are streaming devices that have third-party software installed in them, allowing users to watch premium content from providers such as TNT Sport, Sky, Disney+ and Netflix for free.
The use of these devices is a “serious crime”, and police forces across the UK and Ireland, as well as organisations including Crimestoppers and the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT), have been attempting to stamp them out.
People who access illegal TV streaming services are potentially liable to prosecution for criminal offences, including under Section 11 of the Fraud Act 2006.
FACT is continually intensifying enforcement targeting users of illegal streaming devices/services.
Thousands of individuals across the UK were contacted recently and warned to stop using illegal IPTV services immediately or risk criminal prosecution.
This action followed joint investigations with police that uncovered details of customers who had purchased access to so-called “loaded” Fire Sticks, Android, or Kodi devices.
While FACT’s latest campaign to disrupt illegal streaming networks and protect consumers from the risks associated with illicit online content targeted eight areas across the UK:
- London
- South West
- North West
- North East
- Scotland
- Wales
- Yorkshire and Humber
- West Midlands
The likes of Sky and Amazon are also working on ways to prevent the use of ‘dodgy’ Fire TV Sticks in the UK.
The dangers of using illegal streaming devices
“Illegal streaming services are increasingly operated by sophisticated criminal networks, often involved in other types of crime,” BeSteamWise explained.
Meaning those who use illegal streaming devices run the risk of “letting criminals in”, resulting in:
- Viruses and malware
- ID theft, scams, and fraud
- Inappropriate content
Around 39% of illegal streamers in the UK have suffered financial losses due to cybercrime linked to piracy, according to BeStreamWise.
The average amount stolen through illegal streaming is £1,680, while one in ten have lost more than £5,000.
What is the penalty if caught with a ‘dodgy’ Fire TV Stick?
Not only can the use of illegal streaming devices leave users open to ID theft, fraud, and viruses, but it can also result in fines and jail time.
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Those caught using or selling a ‘dodgy’ fire stick/box and streaming premium content without paying are in breach of Section 11 of the Fraud Act 2006.
It says a person will be in breach if they obtain services “without any payment having been made for or in respect of them or without payment having been made in full”.
A person found guilty of this kind of offence could be fined or face a jail sentence of up to five years.
Have you received an “unauthorized APK installation” message on your Amazon Fire TV Stick? Let us know in the poll above or in the comments below.
Thames Valley Police has revealed that it carried out a drugs warrant today (Friday, April 17) on Leach Road in Bicester.
This is only a road away from The Bicester School which educates over 1,000 pupils from 11 to 18.
READ MORE: Citroen Picasso seized by police on A41 near to Oxfordshire town
The police added that investigations in the case are ongoing and encouraged anyone with any information to get in touch with them as soon as possible.
A spokesperson for the Cherwell unit said: “Earlier today, the Bicester and Kidlington Neighbourhood Policing Team carried out a drugs warrant at an address in Leach Road, supported by colleagues from West Oxfordshire and Banbury Neighbourhood Policing Teams.
“Investigations remain ongoing. We continue to encourage our community to report any information or concerns about drug activity.
“Your reports help us target our activity, protect vulnerable people, and reduce drug offences across the area.
READ MORE: Named ‘delivery rider’ pleads guilty after cocaine arrest in Oxfordshire town
“You can either do this online or by telephoning 101. If you don’t wish to speak to police directly, you can also report to Crimestoppers, anonymously and free of charge by calling 0800 555 111.”
This drugs raid follows several recent drugs-related arrests in another Oxfordshire town Wantage.
Earlier this week a man pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of class A, namely cocaine, having been arrested in the town.
Nigel Bailey, who is close to becoming the new owner of the former Horse and Radish in Burford Road, Minster Lovell, has said he wants to have the watering hole opened in the summer during the upcoming Football World Cup.
Mr Bailey and his wife, who live in Brize Norton, had an offer accepted for the pub earlier this year and hope to finalise the deal with Stonegate soon.
READ MORE: Cotswolds rival to Jeremy Clarkson pub could reopen soon
The Minster Lovell tavern was on the market for £850,000 last summer although that fell to £650,000 late in 2025.
Mr Bailey confirmed that they would give the pub a new name and said it would be based on English literature.
He said: “We’re eyeing English writers as a source for the name, people who have taken inspiration from the Cotswolds. That’s the concept.”
He added that the food would be traditional British but with a twist and that he is hopeful it will be open for the busy summer season.
“A good thing is that we have got the World Cup coming up,” he said, adding: “I mean it’s going to be all hands-on deck when we get the keys.
“I’ve got contractors lined up and we’re already looking for stuff but not really going into high gear until we have got the keys.”
Boasting 2.092 acres of Cotswolds views, the pub is less than two miles away from Jeremey Clarkson’s boozer The Farmer’s Dog in Asthall.
However Mr Bailey said he expects the upgraded Horse and Radish to complement the former Top Gear man’s boozer as well as The White Hart in Burford.
He said that it will be a pub stitched into the community and that they hope to hold plenty of community events there.
It dates back more than 100 years to 1871 when it was first mentioned in The Census with the name New Inn.
Over the years the New Inn had several transfers of ownership with tenancies lasting on average two years.
READ MORE: Historic Oxfordshire high street hotel up for £2.5m sale
It continued to be called the New Inn into the 21st century and then it reopened in May 2006 after a major refurbishment which included an extra single storey being built to the pub at the rear and side.
In 2013 the Inn was renamed The Dovecote before being rebranded again as The Horse and Radish.
The pub comes with planning permission for eight shepherd’s huts in the adjacent wild paddock, granted in 2022 and – according to the Land Registry – it was last sold for £465,000 in September 2017.
Inside the pub is a three-section trading area with multiple entrances, a raised bar section with 22 seats leading to three sets of customer toilets, a central bar-servery section split either side of a feature fireplace and a larger dining area suitable for 46 people at the back.
Leonardo Silvestre, aged 23 and of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of class A, namely cocaine, at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court on Monday (April 13).
He was remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on May 12.
READ MORE: Oxford mental health nurse faces possible ban amid misconduct hearing
This follows his arrest on April 10 at Denchworth Road, Wantage.
Thames Valley Police said they stopped a male “posing as a food‑delivery rider after suspicious behaviour caught our attention”.
The force added: “That instinct paid off — during a search we recovered 16 wraps of cocaine and over £1,000 in cash. All seized.”
The police team said that this was part of their ongoing crackdown on drugs in Wantage.
They said: “Our recent survey told us loud and clear that our community wants us to focus on drug-related activity—and that’s exactly what we’re doing.”
Over the next few days they had several other encounters with possible drugs offenders, including arresting a man, reportedly mid drug deal, on April 11, at Naldertown in Wantage.
The force said: “As a result, a 22-year-old male from outside the area was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.
“Drugs and cash were located on him, and his vehicle was seized.”
That man has since been released on police bail until June 26.
On April 12 they saw another man engaging in drug-related activity in Wantage with the suspect running from the police officers.
“Despite our best efforts—and assistance from the police helicopter—we were unable to locate him,” the police said.
They added: “However, we did seize his vehicle, along with cash and significant items inside.”
As of Friday, April 17 no arrests have been made in the case.
In one of their updates the Wantage and Grove neighbourhood police team warned that much of the drugs activity in the area relates to ‘county lines’.
READ MORE: ‘Very successful’ musician puts forward music studio at new Cotswolds home
The police explained: “It’s when organised drug networks from big cities push into smaller towns, exploiting vulnerable people to move drugs and money. It brings violence, fear and exploitation into communities that deserve better.
“This is one of several arrests we’ve made recently. Every time county lines tries to creep into Wantage, we’ll be there — and we’ll stop them.
“A huge thank‑you to our fantastic colleagues from Abingdon and Faringdon neighbourhood police teams for backing us up. Teamwork keeps our communities safe.”
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