Amazon has recently banned the sale of Flipper Zero, a multi-tool for pentesters, as the company believes it to be a “card skimming device.” Sellers have been sent messages informing them that the product is prohibited on the platform, and Amazon pages that previously sold the device are now down and display error messages.
Amazon has warned sellers to check their other items and remove any banned products from the platform within 48 hours or risk account suspension.
The only thing that can be found on Amazon by searching for “Flipper Zero” are various “tamagotchi hacker” accessories, including screen protectors and silicone cases.
Journalists have noted that potential buyers of Flipper Zero are unlikely to be upset by the ban, as Amazon only resold the devices at a premium, and they can still be purchased from the manufacturer’s official store.
Recently, users from Brazil faced a “ban” on Flipper Zero. It was later revealed that the Brazilian Communications Agency (Anantel) was confiscating the devices entering the country, fearing that they could be used by criminals. Buyers have complained that the authorities rejected all attempts to certify and “whitewash” the equipment, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) criticized Anantel for criminalizing devices used by information security experts.