Kodi WARNING - UK Government raids target illegal set-top boxes in new crackdown

AN ILLEGAL set-top box seller has been arrested today in a government crackdown that could spell a grim future for Kodi users.

Westminster City Council has said it seized 40 illegal Kodi-style set-top boxes pre-installed with dodgy add-ons from a 53-year-old man.

The council confirmed that the units were found in a property raid in on July 12, which seems to be the next big step in a government crackdown on illegal streaming.

The boxes were apparently preloaded with add-ons which were allowing users to stream copyrighted content for free and were sold online for £100 per unit.

The offending seller was arrested, and the illegal set-top boxes taken away.

While Kodi software is by totally legal, the set-top boxes seized by the raid were making use of illegal add-ons that can run on the popular TV player.

Westminster council is not the first body responsible for a raid like this in the UK, as the crackdown on illegal streaming continues throughout the country.

Derbyshire Council obtained a warrant as part of a joint investigation with anti piracy body FACT which allowed them to seize cash and equipment from a home in Derby.

A 29-year-old man was arrested under suspicion of fraud, money laundering and copyright offences as part of this collaboration, and he remains under investigation.

FACT CEO Kieron Sharp praised the new efforts, saying: “This collaboration between Derbyshire police and FACT is another step forward in disrupting the sale of illegal streaming devices.

“People may think there is nothing wrong with having one of these devices and streaming premium pay-for channels for free, such as live sports.

“However this is illegal and you would be breaking the law."

Using illegal streamers now have a real potential to land you in some serious legal trouble, but the machines could also endanger your health.

Manufactured in China, some set-top boxes which can be installed with Kodi software are liable to come with some dodgy power cables that could give users a nasty shock.

Most of these boxes are manufactured overseas, therefore do not come in accordance with EU or UK safety standards.

Some of the devices come with exposed wiring, while others are liable to overheating or catching fire.

The EU consumer page bears a warning about some Chinese-made OTT boxes, saying: "The insulation of the power supply unit is inadequate. The user can touch live parts.

"The product does not comply with the requirements of the Low Voltage Directive and the relevant European standard EN 60065.

"Measures ordered by public authorities (to: Importer): Recall of the product from end users, Withdrawal of the product from the market.”

Apparently many Kodi boxes manufactured overseas come with a two-pin plug, which is not in accordance with UK law and can be dangerous.