CCPA Cracks Down on E-commerce Giants for Selling Unlicensed Walkie-Talkies

 

 

In a major CCPA enforcement move, the Central Consumer Protection Authority has issued 13 notices to leading e-commerce platforms including Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, OLX, Facebook, TradeIndia, and IndiaMART. These platforms have been flagged for listing and selling unauthorized communication devices, specifically unlicensed walkie-talkies, without proper disclosure of licensing, frequency use, or equipment type approval (ETA).

The e-commerce crackdown follows a preliminary investigation revealing widespread non-compliance: 467 listings on Amazon, 314 on Flipkart, 489 on Meesho, and 423 on TradeIndia. These walkie-talkie sales pose not only a consumer risk but also a national security concern due to the potential interference with restricted frequency bands reserved for defense or emergency services.

The CCPA's action highlights growing concern over the misuse of online marketplaces to sell unauthorized communication devices, often to unsuspecting consumers. To prevent recurrence, the CCPA is working closely with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to formulate strict guidelines governing the sale of wireless devices.

These upcoming regulations will specify the permitted frequency ranges and mandate vendors to display licensing and approval status. Violators may face significant CCPA penalties in 2025, marking a new era of regulatory oversight in India’s digital commerce space. The enforcement signals a clear warning to sellers and platforms alike: compliance with national communication laws is non-negotiable.