The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has issued notices to 13 online commerce platforms, including Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho and OLX, for allegedly selling walkie-talkies without adhering to mandatory licensing and disclosure norms.
The move comes in the wake of Operation Sindoor as such non-compliant devices could also pose a national security threat.
“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 product listings for walkie-talkies do not specify whether the device requires a license from the concerned authority for use,” the statement said.
According to an official release, the platforms were found listing and selling walkie-talkies without clearly informing consumers about licensing requirements, frequency specifications, or Equipment Type Approval (ETA) from the Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) Wing - a violation of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
Other platforms that received the notice include Facebook, TradeIndia, Indiamart, VardaanMart, Jiomart, Krishnamart, Chimiya, Talk Pro Walkie Talkie, and MaskMan Toys.
An initial CCPA review uncovered hundreds of such listings — 467 on Amazon, 314 on Flipkart, 489 on Meesho, and 423 on TradeIndia alone. The authority has now sought detailed information from the platforms, including seller credentials, product URLs, licensing documentation, ETA certification status, and unit sales data from January 2023 onwards.
As per the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020, online marketplaces are required to provide all essential information to consumers to enable informed choices. Failing to disclose crucial details such as frequency range or legal limitations violates these norms, the CCPA pointed out.
“The absence of such critical information constitutes a violation of multiple laws, including the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, 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, said a statement of Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
The statement further mentioned that "The sale of non-compliant wireless devices not only breaches statutory obligations but may also pose significant risks to national security operations. Recognising the gravity of the issue, the CCPA will issue specific guidelines under Section 18(2)(l) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019."
In a bid to address the issue, the authority will soon release draft guidelines titled Prevention and Regulation of Illegal Sale and Use of Licensed Frequency Range Wireless Telegraphy Apparatus including Walkie-Talkies on E-Commerce Platforms, 2025 for public feedback.
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 unauthorised listings;
Promote consumer awareness through proper disclosures; and
Enforce penalties and platform liability in case of non-compliance
The CCPA has also reached out to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Department of Telecommunications for their inputs on the matter.