New Delhi, Jan 16 (.) The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has taken suo motu cognisance of the large-scale illegal listing and sale of walkie-talkies on e-commerce platforms and imposed monetary penalties on major online marketplaces for violations of consumer protection and telecom regulations.
The action was initiated after the Authority identified over 16,970 non-compliant walkie-talkie listings across multiple platforms.
Notices were issued to 13 e-commerce entities, including Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, JioMart, Meta (Facebook Marketplace), Talk Pro, Chimiya, MaskMan Toys, India Mart, TradeIndia, Antriksh Technologies, Vardaanmart, and Krishna Mart.
According to the CCPA, several platforms were found facilitating the sale of walkie-talkies operating on restricted and sensitive radio frequency bands without mandatory statutory approvals or disclosures.
These devices were sold without informing consumers about the frequency range of operation, whether a government licence was required, and whether the product had obtained Equipment Type Approval (ETA), a mandatory technical approval issued by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to ensure wireless devices are compliant and permitted for use in India (WPC).
The Authority said many devices were operating in the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) band, which is a regulated spectrum used by police, emergency services, disaster response agencies, and other critical communication networks.
Several listings were wrongly advertised as “license-free” or “100 per cent legal,” even though their use requires government approval. In some cases, walkie-talkies were sold as toys despite having long communication ranges of up to 30 kilometres.
The CCPA also flagged that many listings did not clearly mention key details such as operating frequency or ETA status, making it difficult for consumers to determine legality.
The sale, import, and use of walkie-talkies in India are regulated under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933, and the Use of Low Power and Very Low Power Short Range Radio Frequency Devices (Exemption from Licensing Requirement) Rules, 2018.
Under these rules, only walkie-talkies operating strictly within the 446.0–446.2 MHz frequency band are exempted from licensing. Even licence-exempt devices must obtain ETA certification before being imported or sold in India.
Non-compliance, the Authority noted, also constitutes misleading advertisement, unfair trade practice, and deficiency in service under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, and violates the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020.
The CCPA, headed by Chief Commissioner Nidhi Khare and Commissioner Anupam Mishra, issued final orders in eight cases: Meesho (Fashnear Technologies Pvt. Ltd.), Talk Pro (Iconet Services Pvt. Ltd.), MaskMan Toys, Chimiya, JioMart, Meta Platforms Inc. (Facebook Marketplace), Flipkart Internet Private Limited, and Amazon Seller Services Pvt. Ltd. Proceedings against Antriksh Technologies, India Mart, TradeIndia, Vardaanmart, and Krishna Mart are at different stages of investigation or hearing.
The Authority imposed penalties of Rs 10 lakh each on Meesho, Flipkart, Amazon, and Meta Platforms Inc., and Rs 1 lakh each on Chimiya, JioMart, Talk Pro, and MaskMan Toys. It noted that several platforms have already paid the penalties, while payment from the remaining entities is awaited.
The CCPA also rejected claims by some platforms that they were merely intermediaries and not responsible for third-party seller listings, stating that platforms enabling the listing, promotion, and sale of regulated products cannot avoid responsibility unless they conduct proper checks and due diligence.
The Authority directed all platforms to ensure that walkie-talkies and other radio equipment are not listed or sold without required government approvals, and instructed them to conduct regular self-audits, publish compliance certificates, and ensure regulated wireless equipment is sold only in full compliance with the law.
Highlighting public safety and national security implications, the CCPA noted that unauthorised radio devices can cause harmful interference with law enforcement, disaster management, and emergency communication systems, posing serious risks to public order and national security.
It reiterated that non-compliant listings mislead consumers, expose them to legal risks, and undermine trust in digital marketplaces.
. VK VAN KK