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Does anyone know what the legality of these are? Can you get in trouble just for purchasing things like flipper zero? Or just for using them in some way?

hsbauauvhabzb 2y ago
Your country may be of relevance to the question, but in most countries owning or using a flipper or similar, provided you do not interfere with devices you do not own, will not cause issues.
diggan 2y ago
Depends on your country. Usually it's the action of using it for specific things that are illegal, not just purchasing/owning it. But if you're caught breaking into an office with it, I'm sure many countries' courts would see that as additional tooling for the break in, for example.
Havoc 2y ago
Transmissions are pretty tightly regulated in most countries. Receiving less so but those laws can be pretty catch-all. Unless you enjoy static noise you're probably intercepting something and thus potentially running afoul of lawful interception rules. Exactly laws & whether anyone cares are ofc dependent on your country
matheusmoreira 2y ago
Flipper Zero was banned in at least one country: Brazil. https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2023/03/flipper-zero-devices-being-seized-brazils-telecom-agency https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2023/03/flipper-zero-devices-b... https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/brazil-seizing-flipper-zero-shipments-to-prevent-use-in-crime/ https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/brazil-seizin...
numpad0 2y ago
It's probably not illegal to own in most countries, but nevertheless won't be the smartest move to actively getting involved with it, the idea around it is just too malicious.
- feanaro 2y ago
  What are you even on about, mate? A hacker's multi tool with infinite potential for exploration is an idea "too malicious" to consider?
andreock 2y ago
It depends on usage, if you make an ARP poison attack on your home network, for example, it's not a big problem, if you make it on someone else network, can be a problem :). Also pay attention on SubGHZ frequency, country restrict free frequency range
philwelch 2y ago
Canada was going to ban Flipper Zero but rolled it back earlier this year. https://www.pcmag.com/news/canada-walks-back-ban-of-flipper-zero-targets-illegitimate-use-cases https://www.pcmag.com/news/canada-walks-back-ban-of-flipper-... HN discussion at the time: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39778185 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39778185

hsbauauvhabzb 2y ago

Your country may be of relevance to the question, but in most countries owning or using a flipper or similar, provided you do not interfere with devices you do not own, will not cause issues.

diggan 2y ago

Depends on your country. Usually it's the action of using it for specific things that are illegal, not just purchasing/owning it. But if you're caught breaking into an office with it, I'm sure many countries' courts would see that as additional tooling for the break in, for example.

Havoc 2y ago

Transmissions are pretty tightly regulated in most countries. Receiving less so but those laws can be pretty catch-all. Unless you enjoy static noise you're probably intercepting something and thus potentially running afoul of lawful interception rules. Exactly laws & whether anyone cares are ofc dependent on your country

matheusmoreira 2y ago

Flipper Zero was banned in at least one country: Brazil. https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2023/03/flipper-zero-devices-being-seized-brazils-telecom-agency https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2023/03/flipper-zero-devices-b... https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/brazil-seizing-flipper-zero-shipments-to-prevent-use-in-crime/ https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/brazil-seizin...

numpad0 2y ago

It's probably not illegal to own in most countries, but nevertheless won't be the smartest move to actively getting involved with it, the idea around it is just too malicious.

feanaro 2y ago
What are you even on about, mate? A hacker's multi tool with infinite potential for exploration is an idea "too malicious" to consider?

andreock 2y ago

It depends on usage, if you make an ARP poison attack on your home network, for example, it's not a big problem, if you make it on someone else network, can be a problem :). Also pay attention on SubGHZ frequency, country restrict free frequency range

philwelch 2y ago

Canada was going to ban Flipper Zero but rolled it back earlier this year. https://www.pcmag.com/news/canada-walks-back-ban-of-flipper-zero-targets-illegitimate-use-cases https://www.pcmag.com/news/canada-walks-back-ban-of-flipper-... HN discussion at the time: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39778185 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39778185