Given a faithful action of a finite group   $G$  on an algebraic curve
 $G$  on an algebraic curve   $X$  of genus
 $X$  of genus   $gx\,\ge \,2$ , we give explicit criteria for the induced action of
 $gx\,\ge \,2$ , we give explicit criteria for the induced action of   $G$  on the Riemann–Roch space
 $G$  on the Riemann–Roch space   ${{H}^{0}}\left( X,\,{{\mathcal{O}}_{X}}\left( D \right) \right)$  to be faithful, where
 ${{H}^{0}}\left( X,\,{{\mathcal{O}}_{X}}\left( D \right) \right)$  to be faithful, where   $D$  is a
 $D$  is a   $G$ -invariant divisor on
 $G$ -invariant divisor on   $X$  of degree at least
 $X$  of degree at least   ${{2}_{gX}}\,-\,2$ . This leads to a concise answer to the question of when the action of
 ${{2}_{gX}}\,-\,2$ . This leads to a concise answer to the question of when the action of   $G$  on the space
 $G$  on the space   ${{H}^{0}}\left( X,\,\Omega _{X}^{\otimes m} \right)$  of global holomorphic polydifferentials of order
 ${{H}^{0}}\left( X,\,\Omega _{X}^{\otimes m} \right)$  of global holomorphic polydifferentials of order   $m$  is faithful. If
 $m$  is faithful. If   $X$  is hyperelliptic, we provide an explicit basis of
 $X$  is hyperelliptic, we provide an explicit basis of   ${{H}^{0}}\left( X,\,\Omega _{X}^{\otimes m} \right)$ . Finally, we give applications in deformation theory and in coding theory and discuss the analogous problem for the action of
 ${{H}^{0}}\left( X,\,\Omega _{X}^{\otimes m} \right)$ . Finally, we give applications in deformation theory and in coding theory and discuss the analogous problem for the action of   $G$  on the first homology
 $G$  on the first homology   ${{H}_{1}}\left( X,\,\mathbb{Z}/m\mathbb{Z} \right)$  if
 ${{H}_{1}}\left( X,\,\mathbb{Z}/m\mathbb{Z} \right)$  if   $X$  is a Riemann surface.
 $X$  is a Riemann surface.