Amazon will no longer release Fire Sticks that support sideloading

German IT publication In October, an Amazon representative said the company had no plans to update current Fire OS devices to Vega Hayes Online reported.

Fire operating system accused of piracy

Prior to Vega, Amazon’s Fire streaming devices ran Fire OS, a fork of Android based on the Android open source project, which usually meant the Fire devices were running older Android software. Migrate to Linux-based Vega OS makes it easier for Amazon devices to run more modern software. Vega also gives Amazon more control over how people use Fire devices, supporting things like Alex+its generative artificial intelligence chatbot, while limiting the use of apps that cost companies money or host illegal content.

Sideloading apps has long been a common way for people to run apps outside of the Amazon store (especially from the Google Play store) or limit Amazon ads. This allows enthusiasts to extend the functionality of Amazon devices, for example, using a Fire tablet as a convenient smart home controller.

Perhaps Amazon is more concerned about sideloading apps for watching pirated content, though. This fall, Amazon begins block apps Creative and Entertainment Alliance, a global anti-piracy organization blacklisted.

Fire Sticks have long been criticized for potentially promoting piracy. For example, a May report from media, entertainment and telecommunications research firm Enders Analysis claimed that jailbroken Fire Sticks enabled ‘Billions of dollars’ worth of streaming piracy. Amazon has also faced pressure from various groups to crack down on piracy of its devices, Includes British Sky Sports football channel and the English Professional Football League Premier League.

Many users won’t be affected by Amazon’s move to remove consumer sideloading on Fire Sticks. But those it does affect will be eager to explore rival streaming devices or develop potential workarounds.