Canada Walks Back Ban of Flipper Zero, Targets ‘Illegitimate’ Use Cases
In a recent turn of events, Canada is revising its hard stance against the Flipper Zero, signaling a move away from a complete ban towards targeting the misuse of the device by “illegitimate actors” involved in car thefts. This announcement came as good news to industry watchers and the maker of Flipper Zero, who have been vocal about their concerns with a blanket ban. Instead of outlawing the device entirely, Canada’s Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) department expressed its intention to specifically ban the illegitimate use of such wireless devices in criminal activities.
Shifting Focus to Misuse
ISED clarified its position, stating the country’s objective to “ban the illegitimate use of wireless devices used during car thefts.” The revised approach is to restrict the use of such devices to legitimate users only, thereby cutting off access to those who would misuse the technology. This policy aims at halting the importation, possession, sale, and use of devices like Flipper Zero by those not engaging in lawful activities.
The department is already collaborating with Canadian businesses, online retailers, and the automotive industry to curtail the illegitimate utilization of technology in car thefts. It plans to announce its specific strategies to achieve this shortly.
Flipper Zero’s Makers Respond
The initial ban announcement had sparked significant outcry, leading Flipper Devices, the company behind Flipper Zero, to start a petition urging the Canadian government to reconsider. The company advocates that understanding security should not be criminalized and that their device has not been linked to any actual car theft incidents. They further explain that modern key fobs employ “rolling codes” that are designed to counter the kind of signal copying Flipper Zero can perform.
However, some security researchers have highlighted methods to bypass these rolling codes, although such attacks are deemed impractical for widespread or targeted car thefts using the Flipper Zero alone. The bigger threat, according to Flipper Devices, comes from the use of high-cost radio repeaters in keyless entry system hacks, a method far removed from what a Flipper Zero device is capable of.
Towards a Practical Solution
Canada’s move to regulate rather than outright ban the Flipper Zero signals a more nuanced approach to dealing with the challenges of technological misuse. It suggests an understanding that the solution to car theft does not lie in banning tools that could potentially be used for crime, but in addressing the vulnerabilities that criminals exploit. This shift has been met with cautious optimism by Flipper Devices, though they await details on how these regulations will be practically enforced.
The country’s decision reflects a broader conversation on how to balance innovation with security, emphasizing the need for cooperation between governments, industry players, and security professionals to craft policies that protect citizens without stifling technological progress.