Amazon and Flipkart Begin Reviewing Security Camera Listings
Amazon and Walmart-owned Flipkart have started reviewing internet-connected security camera listings on their Indian platforms after hundreds of products were found to be unavailable in the government's public database of approved cameras and brands.
The development has raised fresh questions about cybersecurity and surveillance risks associated with internet-connected cameras sold through online marketplaces.
Security cameras are increasingly used in homes, offices, shops, factories, apartment buildings and public spaces across India. Because many modern cameras connect directly to the internet, a compromised device can potentially create security risks beyond the physical location where the camera is installed.
More Than 700 Listings Raised Questions
An analysis of security camera listings on Amazon and Flipkart found that more than 700 out of approximately 770 internet-connected camera listings examined were not found in the Bureau of Indian Standards public database of approved brands or cameras.
The finding prompted the two e-commerce platforms to review products offered by third-party sellers and brands.
Products that do not have the required government approval are expected to be removed from the platforms as part of the review process.
The review does not mean that every camera missing from the public database is necessarily compromised or unsafe. The regulatory status of individual products depends on the applicable certification and compliance requirements.
India Introduced New Security Requirements
India has strengthened requirements for CCTV cameras as part of a broader effort to improve the security of connected surveillance equipment.
The government added essential security requirements for CCTV cameras to the compulsory registration framework in April 2024.
The amendment requires covered CCTV products to meet specified requirements before they can receive the necessary certification.
The Bureau of Indian Standards lists CCTV cameras and CCTV recorders under its compulsory registration framework.
Why Internet-Connected Cameras Can Create Cybersecurity Risks
Traditional CCTV systems were generally isolated from the internet. Modern security cameras are often connected to Wi-Fi, mobile applications or cloud services, allowing owners to watch live footage remotely.
That connectivity also creates additional cybersecurity considerations.
If a camera contains a software vulnerability, uses weak security controls or is improperly configured, attackers could potentially attempt to gain unauthorized access to the device or the network to which it is connected.
Security researchers and cybersecurity professionals have therefore increasingly focused on the security of connected cameras and other Internet of Things devices.
Former Cybersecurity Chief Raises Concern
Gulshan Rai, who served as India's cybersecurity chief from 2015 to 2019, told Reuters that unapproved security camera sales were a serious concern.
He highlighted the possibility that a compromised camera could become both a surveillance risk and an entry point into a wider digital network.
The concern is particularly relevant for cameras installed in sensitive locations, businesses and organizations where unauthorized access could expose video feeds or provide attackers with an opportunity to target other connected systems.
BIS Certification Is Part of the Regulatory Framework
The Bureau of Indian Standards says that certain products are subject to compulsory certification or registration when the government determines that compliance is necessary for reasons including public interest, safety, environmental protection, prevention of unfair trade practices or national security.
CCTV cameras are included within the relevant compulsory registration framework.
The government order issued in April 2024 specified security requirements for CCTV cameras and required testing through recognized laboratories as part of the certification process.
This framework is intended to make sure covered products meet defined technical and security requirements before they are placed on the Indian market.
Online Marketplaces Face a Compliance Challenge
Large e-commerce platforms host millions of product listings from manufacturers, distributors and third-party sellers.
Maintaining compliance can therefore become complicated when regulations require specific certification for individual categories of electronic products.
Security cameras can be especially challenging because many products are sold under different brand names or through multiple sellers.
The latest review shows how online marketplaces may need to strengthen verification systems for regulated connected devices.
Some Listings Have Already Been Removed
Following the review, at least several camera listings were removed from the platforms.
The review is continuing, and products that do not meet the applicable requirements could face further action.
The situation also demonstrates the importance of checking certification information before purchasing connected surveillance equipment.
What Consumers Should Check Before Buying a CCTV Camera
Consumers purchasing an internet-connected security camera in India should pay attention to the product's certification status and manufacturer information.
It is also important to keep the camera's firmware updated, use strong and unique passwords, enable available security features and avoid leaving default login credentials unchanged.
Where possible, users should also secure the Wi-Fi network to which the camera is connected and regularly review which devices have access to their home or business network.
The Issue Goes Beyond CCTV Cameras
The security camera review is part of a much broader challenge involving connected consumer electronics.
Smart televisions, routers, speakers, cameras, home automation devices and other Internet of Things products can communicate with external servers and applications.
As more everyday devices become connected, governments and technology companies face increasing pressure to establish minimum cybersecurity standards.
For India, the CCTV certification framework represents one attempt to address security concerns in a category that can directly capture sensitive visual information.
What Happens Next?
Amazon and Flipkart are expected to continue reviewing security camera listings and checking whether products offered by sellers meet applicable Indian requirements.
The outcome could also encourage other marketplaces and sellers to strengthen compliance checks for connected surveillance products.
For manufacturers, obtaining the required certification will remain an important part of selling covered CCTV products in India.
For consumers, the developments highlight an increasingly important point: a security camera is not only a physical security device but also a connected computer that needs digital protection.
India's CCTV Market Enters a More Security-Focused Phase
India's growing use of surveillance cameras is creating a large market for connected security equipment, but the expansion also brings new cybersecurity challenges.
The review of hundreds of online listings by Amazon and Flipkart shows the difficulty of ensuring that every connected device sold through large marketplaces complies with evolving requirements.
With government certification rules now covering CCTV security requirements, manufacturers, sellers and online platforms are facing greater responsibility to verify that products entering the Indian market meet the required standards.
As connected cameras become more common in homes and businesses, cybersecurity is becoming an increasingly important part of physical security itself.
Journalist: Vijay Singh