Feb 13, 2024 11:19:00

The Canadian government bans the Tamagotchi-like multifunctional device ``Flipper Zero'' in response to the rapid increase in car theft

Canada's Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne announced on February 8, 2024 that the import, sale and use of the multi-functional device '

Flipper Zero ' will be prohibited.

Canada to ban the Flipper Zero to stop surge in car thefts
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/canada-to-ban-the-flipper-zero-to-stop-surge-in-car-thefts/

Flipper Zero is an open source multi-tool that combines an electronic pet breeding game with various wireless communication functions such as RFID, wireless remote control, NFC, infrared rays, and Bluetooth.

Flipper Zero is only equipped with functions that can be legally used in most countries and regions, but because it is multifunctional, compact, and highly convenient, it can be used to copy smart car keys , destroy power meters, and access iPhones. It is used for attacks etc. As a result, it has been subject to regulatory measures by the Brazilian government, such as restricting distribution and banning sales on Amazon.

Brazilian authorities seize imported product of open source multi-tool ``Flipper Zero'' as it could be used for crime - GIGAZINE

Industry Minister Champagne, who attended the National Summit on Auto Theft Measures held in Ottawa, Canada's capital, on February 8, 2024, said on Twitter, ``Criminals use sophisticated tools to steal cars. 'And Canadians are understandably concerned about that. Today, I'm announcing a ban on the import, sale and use of consumer hacking devices like Flipper, which are used to commit these crimes.' He posted a statement announcing his intention to make the use of Flipper Zero illegal.

Auto theft is a problem the government can't tackle alone.

At today's auto theft summit, we sat down with provincial leaders, mayors, law enforcement and industry to find solutions and steps we can take together to eradicate the scourge of auto theft in Canada. pic.twitter.com/1p8o1caT0o

— François-Philippe Champagne (FPC) ??????? (@FP_Champagne) February 8, 2024

According to statistics from the Canadian government, approximately 90,000 cars are stolen each year in the country, at a rate of one every six minutes. The loss will reach approximately 1 billion Canadian dollars (approximately 111 billion yen) annually.

In Canada, the Crime Severity Index (CSI) will increase by 4% in 2022, with auto theft being the most serious crime with a 24% increase, making it the crime with the largest impact on the increase in CSI. It has become a social problem.

In a statement , Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) said: 'We will pursue all measures to ban devices used to steal vehicles by replicating radio signals, including Flipper Zero, and will continue to pursue law enforcement efforts. By working with the agency, we will be able to remove these devices from the Canadian market,' he said, naming Flipper Zero.

by Antoine RJ Wright

In this way, Flipper Zero is often cited by authorities, but the developer, Flipper Devices, claims that it cannot be used to steal cars manufactured after the 1990s.

Alex Kuragin, chief operating officer of Flipper Devices, told the IT news site Bleeping Computer: ``Cars, especially those made after the 1990s, have rolling codes in their security systems, meaning every lock and unlock. Flipper Zero cannot be used because it uses a mechanism to automatically modify the code.Flipper Zero is intended for testing and developing security features, and we have taken necessary precautions to prevent it from being used for malicious purposes. 'I'm working on it,' he said.