Amazon is the go-to marketplace for almost anything, from daily essentials to high-tech gadgets. But did you know that some products have been banned from the platform due to safety concerns, legal issues, or ethical reasons? Here are 10 shocking devices that were once available on Amazon but are now strictly prohibited.
1. Hidden Spy Cameras in Everyday Objects
At first glance, they look like ordinary alarm clocks, USB chargers, or smoke detectors, but these devices had hidden cameras that could secretly record video. Due to privacy violations and misuse for illegal surveillance, Amazon has banned certain models of spy cameras disguised as household items from its platform.
📌 Related Link: FTC on Privacy & Surveillance
2. Lockpicking Sets
These kits were originally intended for locksmith training but quickly became controversial because they allowed people to bypass locks easily. While they are still legal in some states for professional use, Amazon has cracked down on selling lockpicking tools due to their potential use in burglaries.
3. GPS Signal Jammers
Designed to block GPS tracking signals, these GPS jammers were marketed as a way to prevent tracking by unwanted parties. However, they were banned in the U.S. because they could interfere with emergency services and vehicle navigation. The FCC has strict regulations against their sale.
📌 Related Link: FCC on Signal Jammers
4. License Plate Covers That Make Numbers Invisible
Some companies sold license plate covers with special coatings that could blur or hide numbers when viewed from certain angles, helping drivers evade toll cameras or red-light cameras. This led to an Amazon ban because of their obvious illegal applications.
5. Credit Card Skimmers
These devices were designed to steal financial data by secretly copying information from credit card magnetic strips. While cybersecurity experts use them for testing, criminals often exploited them, leading Amazon to remove them from its marketplace.
📌 Related Link: FTC on Identity Theft
6. USB Killers – Devices That Destroy Electronics
A USB killer looks like a normal flash drive, but when plugged into a device, it sends an electric charge that can fry a computer, TV, or smartphone in seconds. Originally marketed as a security-testing tool, Amazon banned these destructive devices due to their potential for misuse.
7. Electric Shock Weapons Disguised as Flashlights
These were marketed as self-defense tools, but the fact that they were concealed as regular flashlights made them a safety concern. Amazon prohibits the sale of deceptive stun devices due to laws that vary by state and the potential for misuse.
8. Automatic License Plate Scanners for Private Use
Law enforcement agencies use automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) to track vehicles, but some companies began selling similar devices to private buyers. Due to privacy concerns and the potential for illegal surveillance, Amazon no longer allows individuals to purchase these high-tech tracking tools.
9. Wi-Fi Deauther Devices (Wi-Fi Attack Tools)
These gadgets could disconnect any device from a Wi-Fi network, effectively allowing users to disrupt wireless connections in public places. Due to their ability to cause major security risks, Amazon has banned all commercial sales of Wi-Fi deauthentication tools.
📌 Related Link: FCC on Wireless Interference
10. Fake Money That Looks Too Real
While novelty or prop money is legal for filmmaking and educational purposes, some counterfeit-looking bills were so realistic that they were being used for fraud. Amazon removed high-quality fake currency from its platform to prevent illegal use.
Final Thoughts
Amazon has strict policies against selling products that pose security risks, privacy concerns, or legal violations. While some of these gadgets might have seemed harmless at first, their potential misuse led to outright bans.
Would you ever have guessed these items were once sold on Amazon? Let us know in the comments!
📌 Related Article: Check Out More Tech Reviews Here 🚀
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