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The Hindu
a day ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Upload regulatory approval details for wireless devices, govt. tells e-com platforms
The Union government is notifying regulations to mandate e-commerce platforms to provide copies of regulatory approval documentation for wireless devices like WiFi hotspots and walkie-talkies, the Department of Consumer Affairs indicated on Friday in a press release and a notification uploaded to their website. The primary purpose of the notification, the Guidelines for the Prevention and Regulation of Illegal Listing and Sale of Radio Equipment including Walkie Talkies on E-Commerce Platforms, 2025, dated May 27, is to bolster existing regulations prohibiting the unauthorised sale of wireless electronics — even if they operate in delicensed spectrum, like the airwaves used by WiFi routers. Walkie talkies used by law enforcement in India use spectrum assigned for that purpose in the National Frequency Allocation Plan. 'All e-commerce platforms operating in and outside India but catering to consumers in India' will be subject to the guidelines. Any equipment which supports operations in licensed spectrum, such as in bands used by telecom operators, is prohibited for sale by e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Flipkart. In fact, even equipment that is operating on delicensed spectrum cannot be imported unless the user obtains an equipment type authorisation (ETA) from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). The guidelines have further expanded the requirements, requiring e-commerce platforms to make all the paperwork leading up to such authorisations — 'For equipment capable of operating in unlicensed frequency bands only, e.g. Wi-Fi hotspots, Bluetooth devices, etc., the product listing shall mention the relevant ETA details issued by DoT, and make a copy of the ETA available for download by the buyer,' the guidelines say. 'The product listing shall also mention the operating frequency range(s) of the equipment and provide a copy of the relevant Test Report of the product issued by an accredited test laboratory for download by the buyer.' ETAs for each product cost ₹10,000, and are issued by the DoT's Wireless Planning and Coordination wing. They are required for several wireless devices imported into India, from gaming controllers to Bluetooth headsets. Many e-commerce websites were found to have cumulatively thousands of listings of walkie-talkies without an ETA or other requisite permissions.
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Centre releases guidelines to prevent illegal sales of walkie-talkies on e-commerce platforms
NEW DELHI: The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) on Friday notified the guidelines to prevent the illegal listing and sale of radio equipment, including walkie-talkies, in India via e-commerce platforms. The 'Prevention and Regulation of Illegal Listing and Sale of Radio Equipment including Walkie Talkies on E-Commerce Platforms, 2025' guidelines have been framed after interministerial consultations between the Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA), the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). 'These guidelines aim to prevent unauthorized sale, distribution, and use of wireless telegraphy apparatuses including walkie-talkies on e-commerce platforms, ensuring compliance with national telecommunications and security regulations,' the CCPA said. The stoppage of illegal sales of such equipment has been a long-standing demand of the telecom carriers and the broader industry. With the guidelines in place, the DoCA said it aims to enforce penalties and platform liability in case of non-compliance, mandate verification of seller credentials and certification, introduce automated monitoring and takedown mechanisms for unauthorised listing, and drive consumer awareness through disclosures. This comes following the sale of walkie-talkies on e-commerce platforms without mandatory and clear disclosures, including whether a wireless operating license is needed. The omission of details such as frequency range, licensing obligations under the Indian Telegraph Act , 1885, or the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933, and the Use of Low Power, Very Low Power Short Range Radio Frequency Devices (Exemption from Licensing Requirement) Rules, 2018 and the potential legal consequences of unauthorised use, misleads consumers into believing that the devices are freely operable. However, the guidelines stipulate that only authorised and compliant walkie-talkie devices operating on permitted frequencies are listed for sale on online platforms, and the product listing will have to specify frequency ranges and other technical parameters and include proof of regulatory approval (equipment type approval). 'Sellers should ensure that equipment listed for sale does not operate on frequencies which are not exempted from requirement of frequency assignment and authorization by DoT and ensure that the frequency bands on product description are clearly labelled,' the CCPA said in its guidelines. The authority, earlier in May, issued 13 notices against 16,970 product listings to leading digital marketplaces against the listing and sale of walkie-talkies on e-commerce platforms without proper frequency disclosure, licensing information, or Equipment Type Approval (ETA), which were in violation of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
Economic Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
CCPA issues guidelines to regulate walkie-talkie sales on ecommerce platforms
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) on Friday released comprehensive guidelines to prevent the illegal listing and sale of radio equipment, including walkie-talkies, on e-commerce platforms. The new framework aims to check the sale of walkie-talkies without proper frequency disclosure, licensing information, or Equipment Type Approval (ETA) - practices that violate the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. The guidelines were developed after extensive inter-ministerial consultations with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Key regulatory and security considerations from both departments have been incorporated to ensure a coordinated approach."It was observed that 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," the CCPA said in a listings for walkie-talkies currently fail to specify whether devices require licences from concerned authorities. Critical details such as frequency ranges, licensing obligations under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933, and the Use of Low Power, Very Low Power Short Range Radio Frequency Devices (Exemption from Licensing Requirement) Rules, 2018, are often omitted. This lack of disclosure misleads consumers into believing the devices can be freely operated by the general public, the CCPA noted. The new guidelines mandate that only authorised and compliant walkie-talkie devices operating on permitted frequencies be listed for sale on online listings must specify frequency ranges and technical parameters, and include proof of regulatory approval through Equipment Type Approval.E-commerce entities are required to undertake due diligence and verify regulatory compliance, including licensing where applicable. Listings lacking frequency information or necessary certification must be guidelines also prohibit misleading advertisements or product descriptions that may misinform consumers about legal usage of such must ensure equipment listed for sale does not operate on frequencies that require frequency assignment and authorisation by DoT. Frequency bands must be clearly labelled in product framework outlines penalties and enforcement mechanisms for violations in accordance with the Consumer Protection Act, CCPA aims to ensure due diligence by platforms before listing products, mandate verification of seller credentials and certification, introduce automated monitoring and takedown mechanisms for unauthorised listings, promote consumer awareness through proper disclosures, and enforce penalties and platform liability for CCPA had earlier issued 13 notices against 16,970 product listings to leading digital marketplaces for listing and selling walkie-talkies without proper frequency disclosure, licensing information, or Equipment Type Approval. These platforms remain under constant monitoring and examination alongside the notification of the new guidelines, the statement added.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
CCPA issues guidelines to regulate walkie-talkie sales on ecommerce platforms
The new framework aims to check the sale of walkie-talkies without proper frequency disclosure, licensing information, or Equipment Type Approval (ETA) - practices that violate the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) on Friday released comprehensive guidelines to prevent the illegal listing and sale of radio equipment, including walkie-talkies, on e-commerce platforms The new framework aims to check the sale of walkie-talkies without proper frequency disclosure, licensing information, or Equipment Type Approval (ETA) - practices that violate the Consumer Protection Act, guidelines were developed after extensive inter-ministerial consultations with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Key regulatory and security considerations from both departments have been incorporated to ensure a coordinated approach."It was observed that 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," the CCPA said in a listings for walkie-talkies currently fail to specify whether devices require licences from concerned authorities. Critical details such as frequency ranges, licensing obligations under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933, and the Use of Low Power, Very Low Power Short Range Radio Frequency Devices (Exemption from Licensing Requirement) Rules, 2018, are often lack of disclosure misleads consumers into believing the devices can be freely operated by the general public, the CCPA new guidelines mandate that only authorised and compliant walkie-talkie devices operating on permitted frequencies be listed for sale on online listings must specify frequency ranges and technical parameters, and include proof of regulatory approval through Equipment Type Approval.E-commerce entities are required to undertake due diligence and verify regulatory compliance, including licensing where applicable. Listings lacking frequency information or necessary certification must be guidelines also prohibit misleading advertisements or product descriptions that may misinform consumers about legal usage of such must ensure equipment listed for sale does not operate on frequencies that require frequency assignment and authorisation by DoT. Frequency bands must be clearly labelled in product framework outlines penalties and enforcement mechanisms for violations in accordance with the Consumer Protection Act, CCPA aims to ensure due diligence by platforms before listing products, mandate verification of seller credentials and certification, introduce automated monitoring and takedown mechanisms for unauthorised listings, promote consumer awareness through proper disclosures, and enforce penalties and platform liability for CCPA had earlier issued 13 notices against 16,970 product listings to leading digital marketplaces for listing and selling walkie-talkies without proper frequency disclosure, licensing information, or Equipment Type platforms remain under constant monitoring and examination alongside the notification of the new guidelines, the statement added.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Cops trace 990 lost cellphones using CEIR portal in five months
Lucknow: The Lucknow police has recovered 990 lost or stolen mobile phones between Jan and mid-May, out of around 1,100 complaints registered. The recovery rate stands at an 90%, showcasing how digital platforms like the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) have revolutionised mobile theft tracking across India. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This translates to an average of nearly 7-8 phones being returned to their owners every day. The credit for this largely goes to the CEIR portal of the department of telecommunications (DoT) under the govt of India, which empowers police to trace and block mobile devices using their International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI ) numbers. "Before CEIR, tracing lost phones across telecom circles was complex and time-consuming. Now, we can immediately block a device once the IMEI is entered in the portal. It is a powerful deterrent for mobile thieves and a great support system for citizens. The moment we block an IMEI via CEIR, the device becomes useless on any Indian telecom network. That alone has drastically reduced the market value of stolen devices," said DCP East Zone, Shashank Singh. Shubham Yadav, a 27-year-old software engineer from Indiranagar, lost his phone in Jan. "I filled out the complaint on the CEIR portal," he said. Three weeks later, the phone was traced to a shop in Sitapur, where someone tried to use a new SIM. "I got a call from the cybercell that my phone was found and was being returned. All my work contacts and data were on that device," Shubham said. In another case, college student Prerna Singh had her phone snatched while waiting for an auto in Mahanagar. "I reported the snatching to the local police and submitted the FIR copy on the CEIR site the same evening," she said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Within 10 days, the phone was tracked when it connected to a network in Unnao, and a suspect was identified through tower dump data and IMEI tracing. "They not only recovered my phone but also arrested the person who had a record of similar offences," Prerna said. Former IPS officer and cyber expert, Triveni Singh said that the CEIR platform allows users to block a lost or stolen mobile by entering their IMEI number, uploading a copy of their police complaint or FIR, and verifying their identity. "The phone is blacklisted across all telecom operators in India. If the device is found or switched on anywhere, law enforcement is alerted. Police can then initiate recovery by tracking the device's activity via cell tower triangulation and location pings," he said. "It's like an Aadhaar for phones. Every device has a digital fingerprint. Once blocked, it is useless to thieves but priceless to us," said a senior cybercell officer. The police have urged citizens to note down their IMEI numbers (printed on the device box or dial *#06# on the phone) and act fast when a device is lost. "It's no longer about chasing after criminals blindly. With data and digital footprints, we can now outsmart them," said ACP Mahanagar, Neha Tripathi.
