Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued notices to 13 e-commerce platforms, including Amazon and Flipkart, for the illegal sale of walkie-talkie devices on their platforms. The CCPA released an official statement regarding this action on Friday, May 9.
According to the CCPA, notices were sent to leading digital marketplaces for listing and selling walkie-talkies without proper frequency disclosure, licensing information, or Equipment Type Approval (ETA), which is a violation of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. The platforms involved include Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, OLX, TradeIndia, Facebook, IndiaMART, Vardaanmart, JioMart, Krishnamart, Chimia, TalkPro Walkie Talkie, and Maskman Toy.
What Union Minister Pralhad Joshi Said
Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi had earlier posted on social media, stating:
“The sale of non-compliant wireless devices is not only a violation of statutory obligations but also poses a potential threat to national security operations.”
CCPA to Issue Guidelines Under the Consumer Protection Act
Pralhad Joshi also mentioned that such sales violate several legal frameworks, including the Consumer Protection Act, the Indian Telegraph Act, and the Wireless Telegraphy Act.
He confirmed that the CCPA will soon issue formal guidelines under Section 18(2)(l) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. These guidelines aim to enhance compliance and consumer safety in digital marketplaces.
The minister emphasized that strict adherence to all applicable regulatory standards is necessary to uphold consumer rights and prevent unlawful trade practices.