Amazon, Flipkart review CCTV camera listings on selling platforms in India after report flags ‘security risk’

Two major Indian e-commerce platforms, Amazon and Flipkart, have begun reviewing security camera listings on their websites following a report that highlighted the risk posed by third-party sellers and brands offering unauthorized products. The Indian government had implemented stringent testing regulations for such products six months ago to mitigate potential espionage risks.

Amazon and Flipkart, leading the online shopping market in India, are currently examining internet-enabled surveillance cameras advertised by independent sellers, according to Reuters. A Reuters analysis revealed that over 700 out of 770 internet security camera listings on both platforms featured models not listed in the Bureau of Indian Standards' database of approved brands or cameras.

Cybersecurity expert Gulshan Rai, who previously served as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cybersecurity chief, cautioned that the sale of unlicensed security cameras poses a significant security risk, stating that a compromised camera can serve as both a surveillance risk and a cybersecurity entry point. Since April 1, it has been mandatory for all internet-connected CCTV cameras to obtain clearance from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology's Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification (STQC) framework.

Companies selling internet-connected CCTV cameras in India must now disclose information about key components, including the origin of the system-on-chip (SoC) or processor. In response to the findings, at least a dozen listings have been removed from Amazon and Flipkart, including models from Hikvision's EZVIZ brand, which are now marked as "currently unavailable."

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has not yet provided a comment on the matter, and Amazon declined to comment, while Flipkart did not respond to inquiries.