The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has sent notices to thirteen online commerce platforms for selling walkies-talkies illegally. “Walkie-talkies are being sold on e-commerce platforms without mandatory and clear disclosures regarding the requirement of a wireless operating license or compliance with applicable laws,” read an official release. “The product listings for walkie-talkies do not specify whether the device requires a license from the concerned authority for use,” it further added.
Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, OLX, Facebook and others gets government notice over illegal sale of walkies-talkies
The platforms that received the notices include Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, OLX, TradeIndia, Facebook, Indiamart, VardaanMart, Jiomart, Krishnamart, Chimiya, Talk Pro Walkie Talkie , and MaskMan Toys.
The 13 platforms, as per the release, are selling walkies-talkies “without proper frequency disclosure, licensing information, or Equipment Type Approval (ETA) which constitutes a violation of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.”
The central body said that several platforms were allowing the sale of walkie-talkies:
Without clearly specifying the frequency range;
Without valid Equipment Type Approval (ETA) from the Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) Wing; and
Without proper disclosure of licensing requirements to consumers.
An initial review by the CCPA showed a large number of such listings across these platforms — around 467 on Amazon, 314 on Flipkart, 489 on Meesho, and 423 on TradeIndia. As a result, the Central Authority has asked these platforms to share details like the names and contact information of the sellers, product URLs and listing IDs for the walkie-talkies, frequency specifications and any licensing information shown on the listings, whether ETA/WPC certifications were collected or verified, and the number of units sold for each listing from January 2023 till now.
As per Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020, online marketplaces must clearly provide all important information so that buyers can make informed choices before buying. The release stated that not giving details like the frequency range, license requirements under Indian laws, and the rules about using low-power radio devices can mislead customers into thinking that walkie-talkies are allowed for anyone to use without restrictions.
CCPA to issue guidelinesTo ensure compliance with the law and safeguard consumer interests, guidelines for the Prevention and Regulation of Illegal Sale and Use of Licensed Frequency Range Wireless Telegraphy Apparatus including Walkie-Talkies on E-Commerce Platforms, 2025 will soon be placed on the website of the Department of Consumer Affairs for public comments/suggestions/feedback. CCPA has also sent a letter in this regard to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Department of Telecommunications to seek their valuable inputs.
These draft guidelines aim to:
Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, OLX, Facebook and others gets government notice over illegal sale of walkies-talkies
The platforms that received the notices include Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, OLX, TradeIndia, Facebook, Indiamart, VardaanMart, Jiomart, Krishnamart, Chimiya, Talk Pro Walkie Talkie , and MaskMan Toys.
The 13 platforms, as per the release, are selling walkies-talkies “without proper frequency disclosure, licensing information, or Equipment Type Approval (ETA) which constitutes a violation of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.”
The central body said that several platforms were allowing the sale of walkie-talkies:
Without clearly specifying the frequency range;
Without valid Equipment Type Approval (ETA) from the Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) Wing; and
Without proper disclosure of licensing requirements to consumers.
An initial review by the CCPA showed a large number of such listings across these platforms — around 467 on Amazon, 314 on Flipkart, 489 on Meesho, and 423 on TradeIndia. As a result, the Central Authority has asked these platforms to share details like the names and contact information of the sellers, product URLs and listing IDs for the walkie-talkies, frequency specifications and any licensing information shown on the listings, whether ETA/WPC certifications were collected or verified, and the number of units sold for each listing from January 2023 till now.
As per Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020, online marketplaces must clearly provide all important information so that buyers can make informed choices before buying. The release stated that not giving details like the frequency range, license requirements under Indian laws, and the rules about using low-power radio devices can mislead customers into thinking that walkie-talkies are allowed for anyone to use without restrictions.
CCPA to issue guidelinesTo ensure compliance with the law and safeguard consumer interests, guidelines for the Prevention and Regulation of Illegal Sale and Use of Licensed Frequency Range Wireless Telegraphy Apparatus including Walkie-Talkies on E-Commerce Platforms, 2025 will soon be placed on the website of the Department of Consumer Affairs for public comments/suggestions/feedback. CCPA has also sent a letter in this regard to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Department of Telecommunications to seek their valuable inputs.
These draft guidelines aim to:
- Ensure due diligence by platforms before listing such products;
- Mandate verification of seller credentials and certification;
- Introduce automated monitoring and takedown mechanisms for unauthorized listings;
- Promote consumer awareness through proper disclosures; and
- Enforce penalties and platform liability in case of non-compliance
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