Government cracks down on five e-commerce platforms for compromising consumer safety

The Central Consumer Protection Authority has issued orders against top five e-commerce platforms -- Amazon, Flipkart, Snapdeal, Shopclues and Meesho. The order comes for violation of consumer rights and unfair trade practice for selling car seat belt alarm stopper clips.  

According to the order, these clips compromise life and safety of consumers by stopping alarm beeps when not wearing seat belts. 

Normally, when a car driver or the person sitting in the front does not put on a seat belt, an alarm sound beeps along with the flashing of an icon on the dashboard panel, alerting the driver to wear the seat belt. These online retailers reportedly have been found to be selling car seat belt alarm stopper clips, which stop the beeping noise when the seat belt is not worn by drivers.  

Rule 138 of Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989 makes it mandatory to wear seat belts. 

CCPA issued directions to the e-commerce platforms to permanently delist all car seat belt alarm stopper clips and associated motor vehicle components which compromise the safety of passengers and the public. This is based on the recommendation in the investigation report and submissions made by e-commerce entities. 

The issue of the sale of car seat belt alarm stopper clips was brought to the notice of CCPA by the department of consumer affairs through a letter of the ministry of road transport and highways.