Flipper Zero ban in Brazil could have negative consequences for cybersecurity researchers

In early March, Brazilian customs seized a batch of gadgets Flipper Zeroto prevent their use for criminal purposes. The devices are in the warehouses of the customs authorities, and their delivery to recipients is blocked.

According to media reports, Brazil’s National Telecommunications Agency Anatel initiated the confiscation of Flipper Zero kits sent to the country due to the alleged use of gadgets in criminal activities. At the same time, buyers said that the country’s regulator has effectively rejected all attempts to certify this multifunctional cybersecurity tool for pentesters.

Anatel experts consider Flipper Zero a hacking tool, which complicated registration in the country and prevented customs from releasing and transferring the devices to project customers.

Users in Brazil have tried several times to resolve the issue of certification with Anatel, as the gadget does not use components that are illegal. However, obtaining a personal certificate from the regulator for Flipper Zero to make it available for issuance to customers in Brazil failed. Anatel insists Flipper Zero is being used to facilitate crime.

Anatel reports that the equipment, called Flipper Zero, has been used in the country by intruders to facilitate a crime or criminal offense. Because of this, Anatel rejected all requests for certification of the product in question as part of the protection of Brazilian citizens from criminal acts.

Anatel said all Flipper Zero orders will be sent back to the manufacturer. The country’s device supplier Joomf and the developers at Flipper Zero have stated that users will receive compensation and refunds as part of the currently shipped orders.