Is Kodi Safe and Legal? What Precautions Should You Take?
Its compatibility has supported its emergence, available on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Firestick, and more.
However, Kodi has generated a lot of negative publicity in recent years due to its third-party add-ons. Some of these add-ons are dangerous and have questionable legality. In this article, we tackle many of the questions people have.
Note that while Kodi itself is completely legal, it’s against the law to use third-party Kodi add-ons to watch copyright-protected content. My team and I don’t condone participating in any illegal activities so please make sure to thoroughly research any Kodi add-ons before downloading and streaming.
Streaming on Kodi
Apart from organizing your local content, Kodi can use plugins for streaming online content. These plugins are usually referred to as Kodi add-ons, and they are what has made the platform as popular as it is today.
Official and third-party (non-official) Kodi add-ons are both available.
Official Kodi Add-ons
Official Kodi add-ons, vetted by the XBMC Foundation; the team behind Kodi, do not in any way promote copyright infringement. They are an extra channel for streaming existing services.
These add-ons mostly require subscriptions, but many are free.
- iPlayer WWW (BBC iPlayer)
- Crackle
- YouTube
- SoundCloud
- Vimeo
- Twitch
- Dailymotion, etc.
Official Kodi add-ons are easy to install and can be found on the official Kodi Add-on Repository.
Third-Party Kodi Add-ons
Third-party Kodi add-ons have not been verified. Apps remain unverified by Kodi when developers don’t submit them for review, or they enable users to stream copyrighted content.
Various developers from all over the world create third-party add-ons, and as the software is open-source, they don’t need to consult Kodi. There are more than a thousand Kodi add-ons available today, and you can use them to stream live sports, live TV, movies, TV shows, music, documentaries, etc.
However, third-party developers don’t own any of the content they provide. Instead, they work by scraping for links online. In most cases, these links are usually illegal, and this is what has contributed to the Kodi legality debate.
Illegal Streaming on Kodi
Content producers and copyright organizations have been working to combat illegal streaming through Kodi, with ISPs, especially in the UK, being instructed to block illegal links. ISPs have also stepped up their monitoring habits, and governments continue to make data retention laws to monitor internet usage and combat copyright infringement.
The law on illegal streaming
The battle against illegal streaming rose to a whole new level when the Digital Economy Act 2017 was passed in the UK. According to the law, anyone using Kodi, torrents, or websites to stream TV shows, films, and sporting events illegally could potentially face up to 10 years behind bars.
However, there have been no arrests concerning Kodi users so far, with most attention directed towards sellers of pre-loaded Kodi boxes.
In most regions including the US, Canada, and Australia, the law is not clear when it comes to streaming copyrighted content. What is clear is that selling and distributing copyrighted material is an infringement of the law, and one can end up facing jail sentences and hefty fines.
DMCA Notices
Many Kodi users have received DMCA notices for using third-party Kodi Add-ons to stream pirated content. Whenever you stream content, your ISP, copyright organizations, and others can identify your IP address.
Copyright agencies have been keen on protecting their interests and usually forward DMCA notices to ISPs whose IP addresses have been used for illegal streaming. Your ISP can then easily identify you and forward you the DMCA notice and a warning letter.
Pre-loaded Kodi boxes
Pre-loaded or fully-loaded Kodi boxes are Android devices with Kodi and various third-party Kodi add-ons already installed.
Unlike illegal streaming, which remains a grey area, the sale of these boxes is a criminal offense. Sellers have been arrested and charged, paying hefty fines.
Amazon also joined the war and banned the sale of boxes on their platform. Amazon warns that anybody who “promotes, facilitates, or enables” illegal access to copyrighted content will have their accounts suspended. Facebook and other platforms have also made this move.
Is Kodi Legal?
Initially, Kodi doesn’t come with any content or add-ons installed. As standard, it just organizes your local content on a device or local network. It also scans and adds related metadata, i.e., descriptions, posts, covers, etc.
As a tool, Kodi can perform different tasks, just like a laptop. Therefore, Kodi is entirely legal, and you can’t face any problems if you use the program for its intended purposes.
Naturally, the XBMC Foundation has distanced itself from the murky world of third-party Kodi add-ons. In a statement in 2014, and stated, “…Kodi in its unaltered form is perfectly legal, but certain add-ons do blur things.”
The use of third-party add-ons to illegally stream copyrighted content is illegal.
Is Kodi Safe and Secure?
In its own right, Kodi is secure. However, installing various third-party Kodi add-ons as well as repositories is where problems begin to occur.
There are many third-party Kodi add-ons for different purposes. However, none go through any screening process. Any rogue developer can decide to alter code that can compromise the security of your data and device.
Generally, this happens with outdated add-ons. Since Kodi add-ons update automatically, a malicious developer can decide to take advantage, and data theft and malware is common. Therefore, it’s advisable to remove all outdated add-ons and repositories.
In summary, the threats that you face when using Kodi include:
- Man-in-the-middle Attacks:
These attacks are easy to initiate; fortunately, they’re not common. MITM attacks can be launched when add-ons are updating, as the process takes place over unencrypted HTTP connections. Generally, they involve intercepting your unencrypted traffic. - Malicious Add-ons:
The biggest safety threat to Kodi users. Add-ons can execute code on devices to escalate privileges. This will enable the stealing of data like login details, or even the installation of malware. - Compromises from pre-installed Kodi boxes:
A box that comes with Kodi and third-party add-ons installed can also contain malware. Some devices are sold maliciously, and users need to be careful. To avoid problems, it’s recommended to wipe your devices.
How a VPN Works With Kodi
A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and reroutes it through its own server network, thereby hiding your IP address. This keeps your personal data safe at all times from third-party hackers, advertisers, and web trackers while you’re using Kodi.
Keep in mind that while the Kodi software is completely legal, it’s against the law to watch copyright-protected content using unofficial Kodi add-ons.
Make sure to thoroughly research any Kodi add-ons before downloading and streaming. It’s also best to use a trustworthy VPN with a strict no-logs policy and military-grade encryption to keep your personal data safe from potential online attacks.
However, you need to choose your VPN carefully as some aren’t suitable for use with Kodi.
For a VPN to work effectively with Kodi they require the following.
- Good speeds
- Zero logs
- Allows P2P traffic
- Unlimited bandwidth
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is excellent for Kodi and it fits the above criteria.
Check out our ExpressVPN Review
Use an Antivirus
Combined with a VPN, using an antivirus is another option for avoiding safety threats. An antivirus mostly applies if you have bought a pre-loaded Kodi box. However, you can also use it on any other device to prevent malware from corrupting your data or equipment.
Remove outdated Kodi Add-ons
Finally, ensure that you periodically remove outdated add-ons and repositories as a precaution.
Editors’ Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
Final Word
Kodi offers an excellent way of streaming content especially if you’re cord-cutting. However, you need to be careful as it can land you in trouble.
Using Kodi may lead to potential risks to your device and your local network due to its open-source nature and the use of third-party add-ons. It is crucial to prioritize your safety and that of your family before using it for entertainment purposes. Always remember to use reliable and legally sound add-ons, keep your device’s security software updated, and consider using a VPN to protect your data.
To be on the safe side, ensure that you always use a VPN whenever you use Kodi.
