Amazon and Flipkart review unlicensed security camera listings in India

Summary

Amazon and Walmart's Flipkart have initiated a review of security camera listings on their platforms in India due to the discovery of hundreds of unlicensed products that violate government testing rules. These regulations, which took effect in April 2026, mandate surveillance camera manufacturers to obtain Bureau of Indian Standards certification to prevent espionage risks, amid growing concerns that unapproved devices could transmit sensitive footage abroad. Following reports that revealed the presence of over 700 non-compliant listings, the e-commerce giants are actively removing any items that lack the necessary government approvals, reflecting both the dominance of these platforms in India's $4.4 billion security camera industry and the serious security implications highlighted by experts.

Analysis

Amazon: Amazon is a major global e-commerce company that operates online marketplaces in multiple countries, including India. In this development, Amazon has begun reviewing and removing third-party listings for unlicensed internet-enabled security cameras on its Indian platform after they were found to lack required government approvals. Hikvision: Hikvision is a Chinese surveillance equipment manufacturer whose products, including EZVIZ brand models, are sold on Indian e-commerce sites. Multiple unlicensed listings from the company have been removed from Amazon and Flipkart amid India's new certification requirements. Gulshan Rai: Gulshan Rai is a cybersecurity expert who previously served as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cybersecurity chief. He highlighted the serious risks of compromised cameras acting as surveillance and entry points for cyberattacks in the context of widespread unapproved sales. Sujatha Thammadi: Sujatha Thammadi serves as head of registration at India's Bureau of Indian Standards. She filed a complaint that led Amazon to remove at least one non-compliant camera listing from its platform. Maizic Smarthomes: Maizic Smarthomes is an Indian AI security camera brand selling various WiFi-enabled models on e-commerce platforms. It faced scrutiny over unlicensed listings and has taken steps to remove or modify products while pursuing government approvals. Walmart's Flipkart: Walmart's Flipkart is a leading Indian e-commerce platform that dominates online retail in the country alongside Amazon. It has started checking and removing unapproved security camera listings from third-party sellers following Reuters reports on non-compliance with Indian testing rules. Santosh Kumar Singh: Santosh Kumar Singh is the co-founder of Maizic Smarthomes. He confirmed the company's commitment to regulatory compliance, noting adjustments to camera functionality and removal of certain listings pending approvals. Zhejiang Dahua Technology: Zhejiang Dahua Technology is a Chinese company that produces security cameras, including under its popular Imou brand with a dedicated presence on Amazon India. Its products were among those identified as lacking required approvals and subject to platform reviews. Regulation: Since April 2026, Indian rules have required surveillance camera makers to submit hardware and software for testing and obtain Bureau of Indian Standards certification prior to sales. Platform Actions: Major Indian e-commerce platforms are actively auditing and delisting non-compliant security camera products from third-party sellers in response to government testing mandates. Espionage Concerns: Indian authorities have raised alarms that unapproved cameras could enable sensitive footage to be sent abroad, following earlier discoveries of spying networks using Chinese-made devices near sensitive sites.

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