The Flipper Zero portable multi-tool for pen testers is no longer available for purchase on Amazon as the company has designated it as a card-skimming device, prohibiting its sale on the platform.
According to Pavel Zhovner, CEO of Flipper Devices, the company asked Amazon to reconsider the prohibition because the gadget cannot skim bank cards.
The Flipper Zero is a small, mobile, programmable pen-testing device that may assist in experimenting with and debugging a variety of digital and physical devices via many protocols, including RFID, radio, NFC, infrared, Bluetooth, and others.
Since its release, users have demonstrated Flipper Zero's skills by showing how it can ring doorbells, perform replay assaults to unlock cars and open garage doors, and copy a variety of digital keys.
Flipper Zero has now been blocked by Amazon, which has labelled it as a "restricted product," according to notices distributed to vendors on Thursday evening.
On the Amazon Seller Central website, card-skimming tools are listed next to key-copying tools and shoplifting tools like sensormatic detachers under the restricted product category for lock picking and theft devices.
There are currently some dead links to previously accessible Amazon pages that sold Flipper Zero tools, with the message "sorry, we couldn't find that page."
At this time, Flipper Zero offerings on Amazon are limited to accessories like silicone cases, screen protectors, and WiFi Devboards.
"This product has been identified as a card skimming device. Amazon policy prohibits the sale or listing of card skimming devices," reads a notification sent to one Amazon seller confirming a Flipper Zero sell page was removed from Amazon's catalogue."
"We took this action because this product is not permitted for sale on Amazon.com. It is your obligation to make sure the products you offer comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and Amazon's policies."
The firm also issued a warning to Flipper Zero merchants, advising them to review all of their other items and delete any other prohibited products within 48 hours, failing which their accounts would be deactivated.
"Within 48 hours of this warning please review your listings and close, delete, or archive any listings that do not comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and Amazon's policies. Failure to properly close or delete all restricted product listings from your inventory may result in the deactivation of your selling account, and funds may be permanently held."
The Amazon prohibition won't bother all of Flipper Zero's potential customers, though, because those who sold it there were doing so at a premium. You can still purchase a Flipper Zero through the manufacturer's official store, which is frequently restocked.
On the basis of its claimed use by criminals, the Brazilian National Telecommunications Agency has also been confiscating incoming Flipper Zero purchases. Brazilians who purchased the devices claim that all certification attempts have been refused by the government agency.