Brazil’s national bodies overseeing telecommunications have confiscated a Flipper Zero device, believed to have been sent from Russia, amid suspicions of illicit use. Reports indicate that authorities in Brazil rejected efforts to certify the equipment for legal operation.
Users abroad who purchase Flipper Zero report blocked deliveries. In Brazil, shipments are redirected to the national telecommunications agency because the device lacks official certification from the country’s radio frequency authority.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) noted that Brazil’s agency described Tamagotchi for Hackers as a criminal tool during its assessment.
A Brazilian buyer’s letter quoting the agency states that Flipper Zero is employed by some attackers within the country to facilitate crimes or criminal activity, and that officials declined cooperation requests aimed at shielding Brazilian citizens from harm. [EFF]
Flipper Zero is a compact, multi-function device created by Russian developer Pavel Zhovner. The gadget is widely used by cybersecurity professionals and hobbyists alike, enabling interactions with a broad range of devices and systems, including actions that resemble activities associated with hackers.
Flipper Zero features a virtual dolphin companion that symbolizes its playful side while it is used to explore various hacking-related tasks. The device itself does not rely on illegal equipment nor on components that are not readily available in the market.
Earlier reports noted that certain exploits affecting smartphones could enable an attacker to manipulate the storage on affected devices, underscoring why some authorities monitor this kind of tool closely.