Canada bans 'Flipper Zero' devices amid rising car thefts (2024)

The company behind the device says it's meant for security research and development, and that vehicle software makes the Flipper ineffective for stealing cars

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Published Feb 13, 2024Last updated 1day ago2 minute read

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Canada bans 'Flipper Zero' devices amid rising car thefts (1)

In an effort to curb escalating car thefts, Canada has declared a ban on the import, sale, and use of the Flipper Zero device and similar devices, which the government says has been implicated in facilitating these crimes by replicating the wireless signals of remote keyless entry systems. The announcement was made by François-Philippe Champagne, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry, who voiced concerns over the growing sophistication of tools used by criminals to steal vehicles.

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This decision comes in response to the increasingly alarming rate of car thefts in this country, with approximately 90,000 vehicles stolen annually across the nation, prompting authorities to take stringent measures to protect citizens and their property. The Flipper Zero, a device originally designed for security testing with capabilities including the emulation of radio frequency identification, has found itself at the centre of controversy. Despite its benign intent and a retail price of $169, the device has been caught up in a wave of concern due to its potential misuse.

The debate over the Flipper Zero’s role in car thefts has been fuelled by social media, where videos purportedly demonstrating the device’s ability to unlock cars have circulated. However, experts and the device’s manufacturers clarify that modern vehicles use a system of rolling codes for their key fobs, which greatly complicates any potential misuse of Flipper Zero. Each code transmitted by a key fob is unique and expires after a single use, rendering captured signals ineffective for subsequent unauthorized access.

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In defence of its product, Flipper Devices, the company behind the Flipper Zero, highlights its intended purpose for security research and development, asserting that precautions are in place to prevent its exploitation for illicit activities. The company also points to findings from the New Jersey Cybersecurity & Communications Integration Cell, which suggest the perceived threat of the Flipper Zero may be exaggerated by misleading content on platforms like TikTok.

The manufacturer contests the Canadian government’s decision, arguing the device is incapable of compromising the security of modern automobiles, particularly those manufactured after the 1990s. According to Alex Kulagin, COO of Flipper Devices, Flipper Zero is not designed to defeat the contemporary security systems of modern cars.

Canada bans 'Flipper Zero' devices amid rising car thefts (4)

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Canada bans 'Flipper Zero' devices amid rising car thefts (2024)

FAQs

Canada bans 'Flipper Zero' devices amid rising car thefts? ›

In February 2024 the Canadian government announced plans to ban the sale of the Flipper Zero, mainly because of its reported use to steal cars. The Flipper Zero is a portable device that can be used in penetration testing with a focus on wireless devices and access control systems.

Are flipper zeros illegal in Canada? ›

The Canadian government news release mentions that the announced ban on Flipper Zero is one of the measures to combat the theft of cars with keyless entry systems.

What countries is Flipper Zero banned in? ›

Brazil has seemingly outright banned the Flipper Zero, but Canada's decision is now leaning towards banning it for illegal use only. The United States is keeping a close eye on the Flipper Zero, but there haven't been any reports of difficulty importing it.

What devices is Canada banning? ›

Following the lead of countries like Brazil and platforms such as Amazon, now Canada has banned the Flipper Zero, a multi-functional digital device that has generated fascination and controversy in the tech world.

What's better than a Flipper Zero? ›

If you have been looking for a Flipper Zero alternative, the M1 multi-tool might be right for you.

What are the illegal uses of Flipper Zero? ›

While harmless uses (like as a remote control for a television, or carbon dioxide sensor) exist, some of the built-in tools have potential criminal uses, including RFID skimming, bluetooth spamming (spamming a bluetooth connection, crashing a person's phone), and emulation of RFID chips such as those found in ...

Is it illegal to pay with only coins in Canada? ›

Section 8(2) of Canada's Currency Act states that a payment in coins is a legal tender for no more than: $40 in coins from $2 up to $10 denomination. $25 in $1 coins. $10 in dimes and quarters or other coins above 10-cents but below a dollar.

Can a Flipper Zero start a car? ›

At most, he said, a Flipper Zero can perform limited attacks on select modern cars, mostly from Honda and Acura, that can unlock and start a vehicle.

Can a Flipper Zero unlock a safe? ›

Yes, the Flipper Zero can bypass the security on some Sentry Safe electronic safes using an output from the GPIO.

What is the bad use of Flipper Zero? ›

Flipper Zero can act as a BadUSB device, recognized by computers as a Human Interface Device (HID), such as a keyboard. A BadUSB device can change system settings, open backdoors, retrieve data, initiate reverse shells, or do anything that can be achieved with physical access.

What did Canada recently ban? ›

A national freeze on handguns

A national freeze on the sale, purchase or transfer of handguns by individuals within Canada, and on bringing newly acquired handguns into Canada came into force on October 21, 2022. It has since been codified through Bill C-21.

What product is banned in Canada? ›

Goods such as obscene material, hate propaganda, child p*rnography, counterfeit coins, and goods made by prisoners intended for sale by a person or firm will not cross Canadian borders. Other prohibited items include: Firewood. Weapons such as tasers, brass knuckles, pepper spray, and certain knives.

What is Canada banning? ›

The province's new rules are in alignment with federal single-use plastics regulations, with the banning of six specific plastics recently established at a federal level to include stir sticks, plastic checkout bags, cutlery, straws, six-pack rings, and some food service packaging.

Is buying a Flipper Zero legal? ›

Despite its potential to be used for illegal purposes, and despite what the Canadian government thinks of them, the Flipper Zero is legal in the United States.

What can the Flipper Zero do with Wi-Fi? ›

It can flash and debug various microprocessors and microcontrollers (including the one used in your Flipper Zero) via Wi-Fi or USB cable. The Developer Board provides a debug interface, allowing developers to halt program execution, set breakpoints, inspect variables and memory, and step through code execution.

Are front flippers legal in Canada? ›

The law states you can't have spring loaded knives that open with a button attached to the handle and you can have knives that are spring assisted meaning you start the motion and it does the rest.

Are batons restricted in Canada? ›

The possession of batons is explicitly illegal for all individuals in Canada. The categorical ban emphasizes the stringent approach to the possession of these weapons, irrespective of one's background or intent.

What can a Flipper Zero do? ›

Flipper Zero can act as a BadUSB device, which means that when connected to a port it is seen as a Human Interface Device (HID), such as a keyboard. A BadUSB device can change system settings, open backdoors, retrieve data, initiate reverse shells, or do anything that can be achieved with physical access.

Where was Flipper Zero made? ›

You may have stumbled across the Flipper Zero hacking device that's been doing the rounds. The company, which started in Russia in 2020, left the country at the start of the war and moved on since then.

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