Apr 10, 2023 12:48:00

'Flipper Zero' is now banned on Amazon, designated as a prohibited item as a 'card skimming device' even though there is no skimming function

It turns out that Amazon has banned the sale of the portable multi-tool '

Flipper Zero ' that supports various wireless communication standards as a skimming device. Flipper Zero side is asking Amazon to review the ban, saying that there is no card skimming function.

Flipper Zero banned by Amazon for being a 'card skimming device'
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/technology/flipper-zero-banned-by-amazon-for-being-a-card-skimming-device-/

'Flipper Zero' is a multi-tool that can check the operation of devices and perform penetration tests using various communication standards such as RFID , NFC , infrared, and Bluetooth. However, since it is possible to duplicate the smart key of a car and use it for crimes such as stealing a car, imports have been suspended by the Brazilian Telecommunications Agency in 2023.

Brazilian authorities seize imported goods as open source multi-tool 'Flipper Zero' may be used for crime - GIGAZINE

On April 6, 2023, Amazon announced that it would be sending a notice to sellers to designate Flipper Zero as a restricted product and prohibit it from being sold on its platform.

Regarding the reason for banning the sale of Flipper Zero, Amazon explained, ``This product has been confirmed to be a card skimming device.Amazon policy prohibits the sale and listing of card skimming devices.'' .

Also, according to IT news site Bleeping Computer, ``Please review your listings within 48 hours of this warning and close or remove listings that do not comply with laws, regulations, and Amazon policies. If you don't delete it, your merchant account may be suspended and your funds may be withheld forever.'

As a result,

the Amazon product page that sold Flipper Zero has been deleted , and another page says 'Currently not available' and cannot be purchased.

Also, even if you search for products by entering Flipper Zero, you will only get hits for protective sheets for cases and panels.

Bleeping Computer reached out to Amazon, but a spokesperson was not available for comment, so it's unclear if the ban is temporary or permanent. Pavel Zhovner, CEO of Flipper Devices, the manufacturer of Flipper Zero, said, ``This device can't skim bank cards, so we asked Amazon to review the ban.''