[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] mstrakt:
Just got my Fire HD 8 that came with 5.3.2.1 unfortunately. I contacted Amazon chat to see if I can remove the Ads and this is was transcribed:

Me: Hi i purchached a Fire HD 8 and i am happy with the tablet but not the ads that pop up on the lockscreen. This tablet is for my child and I don't want these shown to him nor him clicking on it. i was not aware of these ads can you please tell me how to remove them or i will want to return it. Thanks

You are now connected to Ryley Rose from Amazon.com

Ryley Rose: Hello Heather, my name is Ryley Rose. Thank you for being a Prime member! We really appreciate it.

Me: No problem

Ryley Rose: I'm sorry for the ads showing up on the Fire tablet. I understand that you'd like to remove it. I'd be happy to check and help you.

Just to confirm, does the ads showing up when he tried to access Apps?

Me: it shows up on the lockscreen. so when he turns on the device

Ryley Rose: Oh, I see. Thank you for confirming.

You are now reconnected with Ryley Rose.

Ryley Rose: I'm sorry our chat was disconnected. I'll try to pick up where​ we left off​.

Can you tell me the name listed at the upper left corner of your son's Fire tablet?

Me: ******

Ryley Rose: Is it the Fire 7 or Fire HD8?

Me: Fire HD8

Ryley Rose: Thank you.

Me: the Fire 7 is no longer in my possession

Ryley Rose: I see. It's alright.

Normally, by delivering these offers to your device, Amazon is able to offer tablets with Special Offers at a lower price. Special Offers and Sponsored Screensavers include offers on device accessories or products from our digital catalog, including Kindle books, apps, games, and MP3s.

Me: oh okay

makes sense

Ryley Rose: If you purchase a device with Special Offers and later change your mind, you can opt out of Special Offers from the Manage Your Content and Devices page for a fee. The fee is the price difference between the Kindle with and without Special Offers.

Have you purchase it directly from Amazon?

Me: No it was purchased at best buy

Ryley Rose: Oh, I see. Would you like to proceed to remove it?

Me: will i be charged to remove it?

Ryley Rose: Yes. The normal fee is $15 tax excluded.

Are you aware of it?

Me: No I was not

Ryley Rose: I'm sorry to know that.

Me: Well if you are going to charge me for removing ads I don't want, then forget it.

Ryley Rose: Understood, Heather. Let me try to check what I can do about this.

Me: ok thanks

Ryley Rose: You're welcome! Trying to consult my lead about this.

Me: Understood

Ryley Rose: Thank you, Heather.

Thank you as well for waiting.

Me: Your welcome

Ryley Rose: As an exception, the Special Offers has been removed from your son's Fire tablet at no cost.

Please connect the tablet to WiFi so that you'll receive a notification about the removal.

Let me know if you receive a notification about the removal.

Me: Great! thank you Ryley.

Ryley Rose: You're most welcome! :)

Me: I got the notification

Ryley Rose: Perfect! I'm really happy to hear that. Thank you for checking.

Would there be anything else I can help aside from this?

Hope that helps out some folks trying to remove the annoying ads.