India’s consumer protection regulator has penalised major e-commerce platforms, including Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho and Facebook Marketplace, for facilitating the sale of unauthorised walkie-talkies that violate telecom and consumer protection laws, PTI reported.
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued final orders against eight entities, imposing penalties totalling Rs 44 lakh after finding widespread non-compliance in the online sale of personal mobile radios (PMRs), which are regulated communication devices.
According to PTI, the action followed a suo motu investigation that uncovered nearly 17,000 listings of walkie-talkies being sold without mandatory approvals, proper frequency disclosures or licensing information.
Major platforms penalised
The authority imposed penalties of Rs 10 lakh each on Meesho, Meta Platforms Inc. (Facebook Marketplace), Flipkart and Amazon. Smaller penalties of Rs 1 lakh each were levied on Chimiya, JioMart, Talk Pro and MaskMan Toys, PTI quoted consumer affairs secretary Nidhi Khare as saying.
Meesho, Meta, Chimiya, JioMart and Talk Pro have already paid the penalties, while payments from the remaining platforms are awaited.
What the regulator found
Under Indian rules, walkie-talkies are exempt from licensing only if they operate strictly within the 446.0–446.2 MHz frequency band. As per PTI, devices outside this band require prior approval from the Equipment Type Approval (ETA).
CCPA found that several platforms were listing devices which did not meet the standards. Flipkart hosted thousands of units that were sold with incomplete or incorrect frequency information. 2,600 units were sold on Amazon during the review period itself.
Misleading claims, intermediary defence rejected
CCPA also mentioned how various sellers were advertising that the products with fake claims. Talk Pro was found advertising devices as ‘100% legal’ and ‘licence-free’ while Chimiya was selling imported walkie-talkies without statutory approvals.
Several platforms sought to shield themselves by claiming intermediary status. The CCPA rejected this argument, stating that e-commerce platforms facilitating the listing, discovery and promotion of regulated products cannot be treated as passive intermediaries.
Intermediary protections apply only when platforms exercise effective due diligence, the authority said, according to PTI.
New rules, security concerns
The regulator has now notified fresh guidelines governing the listing and sale of radio equipment on e-commerce platforms. Framed in consultation with the Department of Telecommunications and the Ministry of Home Affairs, the rules require platforms to verify frequency compliance and approvals before allowing listings, ensure full disclosure to consumers, and deploy automated monitoring systems.
The CCPA also flagged national security concerns, warning that unauthorised radio devices can interfere with communication networks used by law enforcement, disaster response agencies and emergency services. Investigations into five other platforms, including IndiaMart and TradeIndia, are still ongoing, PTI reported.