NEW DELHI – Amazon and Walmart’s Indian arm Flipkart have started a review of internet‑enabled security camera listings on their platforms. The move follows a Reuters investigation that uncovered more than 700 of roughly 770 camera listings without approval from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
Government testing rules drive the sweep
Six months ago, India introduced strict testing requirements for surveillance cameras, requiring manufacturers to submit hardware and software for certification before sale. The rules aim to prevent espionage risks, especially after a police‑led operation exposed a Pakistan‑linked spying network that used Chinese‑made SIM‑enabled CCTVs near military sites.
Any camera without the required BIS approval mark will be removed from the marketplaces, according to two sources familiar with the checks. Since Tuesday, at least a dozen listings have already been taken down, including two models from Hikvision’s EZVIZ brand, which now appear as “currently unavailable” on Amazon.
Industry impact
The Indian security‑camera market, valued at $4.4 billion, is dominated by Chinese manufacturers Hikvision and Zhejiang Dahua Technology, which together held about 30 % of market share last year. Both companies have not responded to Reuters’ requests for comment.
Other unapproved listings identified include eight Wi‑Fi camera models from Hikvision and Dahua on Amazon, as well as 138 “Wi‑Fi camera” products from Indian brand Maizic Smarthomes, none of which were listed in the BIS database. Maizic’s co‑founder Santosh Kumar Singh said the company removed live‑feed Wi‑Fi functionality from its devices until it secures government approval.
Security concerns
Gulshan Rai, former cybersecurity chief for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, warned that a compromised camera could serve as both a surveillance risk and a cyber‑entry point. The BIS has not yet responded to inquiries about the unapproved listings.
Amazon declined to comment on the review, while Flipkart did not respond to Reuters’ queries.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
