2 hrs ago
Amazon, Flipkart Review Unlicensed Security Camera Listings in India
Amazon and Flipkart are checking security cameras sold on their Indian websites.
Many cameras appeared not to have the government approval required in India.
Reuters found more than 700 possibly unapproved listings out of about 770 examined.
The rules were created because officials worry that camera footage could be sent to other countries.
At least a dozen listings have been removed so far.
One expert said hacked cameras could help people spy or enter computer networks.
A seller called Maizic said some of its cameras do not need approval and said other products were removed while awaiting clearance.
The companies and Indian standards officials did not provide immediate comments to Reuters.
Amazon and Flipkart began reviewing third-party security camera listings after Reuters found hundreds without apparent government approval.
Reuters identified more than 700 potentially unapproved models among roughly 770 internet-enabled camera listings.
Indian rules require surveillance camera manufacturers to obtain Bureau of Indian Standards certification before selling equipment.
At least a dozen listings have been removed, including two Hikvision EZVIZ models.
Experts warned that compromised cameras could enable surveillance or create cybersecurity entry points, while sellers disputed how rules apply to some products.
- Who
- Amazon, Flipkart, third-party sellers, Indian regulators, and security camera manufacturers.
- What
- The e-commerce platforms are reviewing and removing security camera listings that may lack required Indian certification.
- Where
- Online marketplaces in India, including Amazon India and Flipkart.
- When
- The review was reported after Reuters' investigation; the certification rules have applied since April and were first announced in 2024.
- Why
- Indian authorities require approval because of product-compliance concerns and fears that connected cameras could enable espionage or transfer sensitive footage abroad.
Security and enforcement concerns
Seller and platform compliance claims
Risk posed by unapproved cameras
Security and enforcement concerns
Former cybersecurity chief Gulshan Rai said compromised cameras could become surveillance risks and cybersecurity entry points, while Indian rules are intended to address concerns over footage being transferred abroad.
Seller and platform compliance claims
Some products remained available online, and Amazon and Flipkart did not publicly explain their review process or the status of all listings.
Whether products require approval
Security and enforcement concerns
The investigation found hundreds of listed models that were not present in the Bureau of Indian Standards' public approval database.
Seller and platform compliance claims
Maizic co-founder Santosh Kumar Singh said government regulations do not apply to many of the company's cameras and that products requiring clearance had been removed while approvals were pending.
Responsibility for marketplace listings
Security and enforcement concerns
The platforms are reviewing third-party listings and said, according to sources, that products without government approval would be removed.
Seller and platform compliance claims
The continued presence of hundreds of listings as of Thursday shows that unlicensed or apparently unapproved products remained available during the review.
Key facts
- Listings reviewed
- More than 700 of roughly 770 internet-enabled security camera listings were not found in the Bureau of Indian Standards' public database of approved brands or cameras.
- Certification rule
- Manufacturers have been required since April to submit camera hardware and software for testing before selling equipment in India.
- Removed listings
- At least a dozen listings were removed from Amazon and Flipkart, including at least two Hikvision EZVIZ models.
- Market size
- India's security camera industry was described as worth $4.4 billion.
- Market leaders
- Hikvision and Zhejiang Dahua Technology together held 30% of India's security camera market, according to Counterpoint Research.
- Example price
- A Dahua Wireless Dome Camera was listed on Amazon for 779 Indian rupees after a 70% discount.
- Government investigation
- Delhi police said in April they had uncovered a Pakistan-linked network using Chinese-made SIM-enabled cameras near military sites.
Quotes
Santosh Kumar Singh
Co-founder of Maizic
“A compromised camera can become both a surveillance risk and a cybersecurity entry point”
deccanchronicle.com
“The brand is committed to full compliance with government laws and regulations”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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