In a major crackdown on unlawful e-commerce practices, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued notices to 13 digital marketplaces, including Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, OLX, and Facebook Marketplace, for illegal walkie-talkie sale without proper regulatory approvals.
The action, taken amidst growing India-Pakistan border tensions, highlights a critical national security concern. The sale of unlicensed wireless communication devices such as walkie-talkies violates provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 and potentially endangers secure operations in sensitive areas.
“Non-compliance in selling such wireless devices not only breaches statutory obligations but also poses risks to national security operations,” said Union Minister for Food and Consumer Affairs, Pralhad Joshi, in a social media post following the crackdown.
What’s Illegal Walkie-Talkie Sale?
According to the CCPA, most of the flagged listings lacked the Equipment Type Approval (ETA) and mandatory licensing disclosures, which are prerequisites under Indian telecom laws for any radio communication equipment. The walkie-talkie devices in question were reportedly being sold without user safety warnings, frequency band clarity, or usage restrictions.
These devices, if improperly configured, can interfere with critical communication channels used by military, emergency response teams, and aviation.
Who’s on the List?
Besides e-commerce giants Amazon and Flipkart, the list includes:
- Meesho
- OLX
- TradeIndia
- Facebook Marketplace
- IndiaMART
- VardaanMart
- JioMart
- KrishnaMart
- Chimoya
- Talk Pro Walkie Talkie
- Maskman Toys
The named platforms have been asked to furnish compliance reports and take immediate corrective steps, failing which, further penal action may follow.
Guidelines Coming Soon
CCPA has also announced it will soon issue detailed regulatory guidelines for the online sale of electronic and wireless devices. The aim is to ensure that platforms verify licenses and approvals before allowing such products to be listed or sold.
This move aligns with the government’s broader focus on tightening the screws on digital marketplace accountability and ensuring that consumer safety and national interests aren’t compromised in the race for online retail dominance.
Bottom Line: Walkie-talkie devices are not toys or casual gadgets they are regulated communication tools. Without proper licensing and clearance from telecom authorities, selling or even owning certain models can be illegal in India.
Also Read: India Tightens Economic Screws Of Pakistan
