Government Cracks Down on Illegal Walkie-Talkie Sales on E-Commerce Platforms

The CCPA has issued notices to 13 e-commerce platforms, including Amazon and Flipkart, for illegal sales of walkie-talkies without proper frequency disclosure or licensing, posing potential security risks. New guidelines will be drafted under the Consumer Protection Act to ensure compliance and safeguard consumer rights.

In a significant regulatory move, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued notices to 13 major e-commerce players, including giants like Amazon, Flipkart, and OLX, regarding the illegal sale of walkie-talkie devices. This comes amid heightened security concerns in the context of ongoing military tensions between India and Pakistan.

The sale of walkie-talkies without proper frequency disclosures, licensing information, or Equipment Type Approval has been marked as a violation of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. As per an official statement, the government watchdog has identified hundreds of such listings across various platforms.

CCPA Chief Commissioner Nidhi Khare emphasized the public safety implications and stated that guidelines will soon be established to enforce compliance. The move aims to uphold consumer rights by ensuring that e-commerce entities adhere to legal standards.

(With inputs from agencies.)