Stories
Cheap WiFi Camera Online? Check Government Approval to Protect Your Privacy!
- •Many cheap WiFi cameras sold online in India may lack government approval, raising privacy concerns.
- •Amazon and Flipkart are reviewing listings after a Reuters analysis found hundreds of unapproved internet security cameras.
- •Rules, enforced since April 1, 2026, require internet-connected CCTV cameras to meet cybersecurity standards and be registered before sale.
- •To check approval, find the 'R-' registration number on the camera or listing, then verify it on the BIS CRS portal or BIS Care app.
- •If your camera is unapproved, change default passwords, install firmware updates, and avoid placing cameras in private spaces.
Key Questions Answered
You can check by locating the camera's BIS registration number (starting with "R-") on its box, label, or listing, and then verifying it online via the BIS CRS portal or the official BIS Care app. Make sure that the model number matches the registered entry.
If your camera is unverified, you do not need to panic, but you should take basic precautions: change the default password to a strong and unique one, install firmware updates, turn off remote viewing if it is unnecessary, avoid private spaces like bedrooms, and use a strong home WiFi password.
The rules were announced in 2024 and enforced starting April 1, 2026, due to concerns that sensitive camera footage could be transferred outside India. The mandate requires internet-connected CCTV cameras to meet specific cybersecurity standards, get tested, and register to prevent unauthorized access to camera feeds.
