Anatel blocks the import of a device used by security specialists and causes irritation

Anatel (National Telecommunications Agency) and the Federal Revenue have confirmed that the importation and sale of Flipper Zero, a gadget widely used by specialists in the field of information security, is prohibited in Brazil.

One of the agency’s arguments is that the device can be used by criminals to harm victims. The decision, however, was not well received by insiders.

Consumers reported on social networks that they have already bought the device on foreign sites, but have not received the order. Some threaten to sue Anatel if the delivery is blocked, informs the portal Tilt.

In the United States, for example, the Flipper legally retails in the US$200 range, approximately R$1,050 before tax. In national e-commerce, the same gadget costs almost three times as much.

What is Flipper Zero for?

In a statement, Anatel said that copies made without the consent of a third party can cause significant harm to the consumer, another reason for the ban. Being an open source device, the Flipper can also be improved by collaborators (including those who want to use the device to commit crimes).

In recent months, videos of the “small device” have gone viral on TikTok. Social network users claim that they managed to hack into electronic systems and even turn on car headlights using the device. Which has not yet been validated by the experts.

Blocking can cause more problems

Some say the ban will open loopholes for Flipper Zero to be sold clandestinely in the country. Hiago Kin, president of the Brazilian Cyber ​​Security Association, told the Tilt that Anatel’s justification is not convincing, as the above electronic systems can be exploited in other ways.

Finally, Anatel specifies that the decision is supported by an internal regulation which provides for the blocking of the approval and sale of products that can be used for “illegal purposes”. More than 340 seizures have been carried out so far, the agency informs.

Main image: Disclosure/Flipper

With information from Tilt

The post Anatel blocks the import of devices used by security specialists and causes irritation appeared earlier in Olhar Digital.

Source: Olhar Digital