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India.com
2 days ago
- Business
- India.com
E-commerce Giants Remove Walkie-Talkie Listings After Govt Cracks Down On Illegal Sales
New Delhi: Major e-commerce platforms, including Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, JioMart, Meta, and Chimiya, have removed several walkie-talkie product listings following new government rules to prevent the illegal sale of radio communication equipment online. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, recently issued detailed guidelines to regulate how such devices are listed and sold on online marketplaces. The move comes in response to rising concerns about unregulated walkie-talkies that can interfere with critical communication networks like those used by police and emergency services. The new rules, titled 'Guidelines for the Prevention and Regulation of Illegal Listing and Sale of Radio Equipment including Walkie Talkies on E-Commerce Platforms, 2025,' were created in consultation with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). They aim to protect consumers and the national communication infrastructure by ensuring only authorised and properly certified equipment is available for sale. Many walkie-talkies previously sold online lacked clear information about the legal need for a wireless operating license. Listings often omitted key technical details such as frequency range, regulatory approvals, or whether the product required a license under laws like the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, or the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933. This led to buyers being misled into believing they could freely use such devices without restrictions. Under the new guidelines, online platforms are now required to clearly mention whether a walkie-talkie requires a license, display approved frequency ranges, and provide valid regulatory certifications such as Equipment Type Approval (ETA). Listings that fail to meet these standards must be taken down, and misleading advertisements are strictly prohibited. The CCPA has previously flagged over 16,000 such product listings and issued 13 notices to major platforms for violating consumer protection laws. The new guidelines strengthen enforcement, set out penalties for violations, and hold both sellers and platforms responsible for compliance.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Only walkie-talkies on permitted frequencies, compliant with regulations can be listed for sale online: Centre
NEW DELHI: The Centre has mandated that only walkie-talkie devices operating on permitted frequencies and compliant with Indian regulations can be listed for sale online. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) on Friday issued the new guidelines to regulate the sale of walkie-talkie devices on e-commerce platforms in India including Amazon, Flipkart and others. According to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, walkie-talkies are often sold on e-commerce platforms without clear and mandatory disclosures regarding the requirement for a wireless operating licence or compliance with applicable laws. Many product listings fail to specify whether the device requires a licence from the appropriate authority for use. 'The omission of key details such as frequency range, 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 — along with the potential legal consequences of unauthorized use — misleads consumers into believing that these devices are freely operable by the general public,' the ministry stated in a press release. Under the new guidelines, sellers must clearly disclose the frequency range and technical specifications, and provide proof of regulatory approval, such as Equipment Type Approval (ETA). The CCPA also emphasized that misleading advertisements or product descriptions that misinform consumers about the legal use of such devices are strictly prohibited.
India Gazette
3 days ago
- Business
- India Gazette
Centre notifies guidelines for prevention and regulation of illegal listing and sale of radio equipment
New Delhi [India], May 30 (ANI): The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, has notified guidelines for the prevention and regulation of illegal listing and sale of radio equipment, including walkie-talkies, on e-commerce platforms. These guidelines have been notified to curb the unauthorised sale of wireless devices that may pose risks to consumer safety, mislead consumers regarding their legal position and interfere with critical communication networks, including those used by law enforcement and emergency services, the official statement said. These guidelines can be accessed on the department website through the following link. The guidelines were finalised following extensive inter-ministerial consultations with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Key regulatory and security considerations provided by both departments have been incorporated into the final framework to ensure a coordinated and comprehensive approach. It was observed that walkie-talkies are being sold on e-commerce platforms without mandatory and clear disclosures regarding the requirement for a wireless operating license or compliance with applicable laws. The product listings for walkie-talkies do not specify whether the device requires a license from the concerned authority for use. 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 unauthorized use, misleads consumers into believing that the devices are freely operable by the general public. Key highlights of the guidelines are as under: *Mandates that only authorised and compliant walkie-talkie devices operating on permitted frequencies are listed for sale on online platforms. *Product listings to specify frequency ranges and other technical parameters, and include proof of regulatory approval (Equipment Type Approval). *Requires e-commerce entities to undertake due diligence and verify regulatory compliance, including licensing where applicable and listings lacking frequency information or necessary certification should be taken down. *Prohibits misleading advertisements or product descriptions that may misinform consumers about the legal usage of such devices. *Sellers should ensure that equipment listed for sale does not operate on frequencies that are not exempt from the requirement of frequency assignment and authorisation by the DOT, and ensure that the frequency bands in the product description are clearly labelled. *Outlines penalties and enforcement mechanisms for violations in accordance with the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. With these guidelines, the Department aims to: *Ensure platforms perform due diligence before listing such products. *Mandate verification of seller credentials and certification. *Introduce automated monitoring and takedown mechanisms for unauthorised listings. *Promote consumer awareness through proper disclosures. *Enforce penalties and platform liability in case of non-compliance The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) had earlier issued thirteen 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), thereby, constituting violation of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. These platforms are under constant monitoring and examination, in addition to notification of the guidelines. (ANI)
Time of India
3 days 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
3 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.
