Security News > 2023 > March > Brazil seizing Flipper Zero shipments to prevent use in crime
The Brazilian National Telecommunications Agency is seizing incoming Flipper Zero purchases due to its alleged use in criminal activity, with purchasers stating that the government agency has rejected all attempts to certify the equipment.
Multiple people in Brazil who purchased the Flipper Zero hacking tool have reported that their shipments are being redirected to Brazil's telecommunications agency, Anatel, due to a lack of certification with the country's Radio Frequencies department.
A user has posted analytical instructions on applying to Anatel for a personal homologation certificate for Flipper Zero, which should make it usable by the buyer, albeit preventing resells to others in Brazil.
Many buyers report that the agency has rejected this certification procedure because Flipper Zero is allegedly being used to facilitate crime.
"Anatel's certification area informs that the equipment called FLIPPER ZERO has been used in the country by malicious users in facilitating a crime or criminal misdemeanor and, as provided for in item II of Art. 60 of the Regulation for Conformity Assessment and Homologation of Telecommunications Products, Anatel has rejected all homologation requests for the product in question, in order to collaborate in the protection of Brazilian citizens against criminal actions," reads a letter received by Flipper Zero customers in Brazil.
"The Flipper Zero has clear uses: penetration testing to facilitate hardening of a home network or organizational infrastructure, hardware research, security research, protocol development, use by radio hobbyists, and many more," argues EFF. "The creation, possession or distribution of tools related to security research should not be criminalized or otherwise restricted."