Kodi users issued with guidance of what they can and CAN'T do by government
It comes after a damning investigation
The government has issued urgent guidance over set-top boxes.
It comes after a damning investigation discovered that, if you stream illegal content on television, you could be putting your home and family at risk.
The so-called Kodi boxes may have come from abroad and may not have been subjected to proper safety checks.
Anti-piracy campaigners say the only way to be sure is to unplug your box immediately.
Electrical Safety First carried out a series of tests on nine types of popular illegal streaming devices entering the UK and found they all failed to meet safety standards.
The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) estimates that more than one million of the devices have been sold in the UK in the last two years.
In June the EU issued a recall notice for a Chinese-made Android TV box, or Kodi box, amid fears that its poor design left users at risk of electric shock.
The safety warning said the risk of electric shock from the OTT TV Box 4K was "serious" and advised owners to stop using it immediately. The devices had faulty power supply units which did not comply with Europe's Low Voltage Directive, meaning users were at risk from touching live components.
In July, a raid in London resulted in the seizure of more than 40 illegal streaming devices that provided access to illegal content and lacked UK electrical safety measures.
Writing in the guidance , an IPO spokesman said: "The creative industries in the UK is a very important sector.
"It provides employment for more than 1.9 million people and contributes £84.1 billion to our economy.
"If you are not paying for this content you are depriving industry of the revenue it needs to fund the next generation of TV programmes, films and sporting events we all enjoy.
"Instead it provides funds for the organised criminals who sell or adapt these illicit devices."
What is 'illicit streaming' and what devices are commonly used?
'Illicit streaming' as the watching of content without the copyright owner's permission by any means.
Illicit streaming devices are physical boxes that are connected to your TV or USB sticks that plug into the TV such as adapted Amazon Fire sticks and so called 'Kodi' boxes or Android TV boxes.
While they are legal if they are used to watch legitimate content, they are illegal once they are adapted to stream illicit content,
How do you identify an illicit streaming device?
If you are watching TV shows, films or sporting events where you would normally be paying to view them and you have not paid, you are likely to be using an illicit streaming device.
'These devices are often purchased online and described as "Fully Loaded, Jail Broken, Plug and Play or Subscription Gift"', according to the IPO.
'They are described using these terms to show that they have been adapted and are functioning as an illicit streaming device.'
'In some cases consumers buy devices and subsequently add the software, this also makes it an illicit streaming device.'
Why you should not buy these devices
Children are at risk of being exposed to explicit or age inappropriate content.
There are also concerns over fire safety. Some devices from the black market have failed EU safety standards and could cause a fire in the home.
Using an illegal Kodi box also means 'you are depriving industry of the revenue it needs to fund the next generation of TV programmes, films and sporting events we all enjoy', said the IPO.
'Instead it provides funds for the organised criminals who sell or adapt these illicit devices.'
What should you do if you already have an illegal Kodi box?
These devices can be used legally by removing the software, the IPO says.
You can also approach the relevant provider to find out about legal ways to watch your favourite shows.
Where can you report sellers of illegal Kodi boxes?
The IPO says if you see these devices being offered for sale, tell Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Citizens Advice also provides free, confidential and independent advice.
