The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) on Friday notified comprehensive guidelines to curb the illegal listing and sale of radio and wireless devices equipment, including walkie-talkies, on e-commerce platforms.
“It was observed that walkie-talkies are being sold on e-commerce platforms without mandatory and clear disclosures regarding the requirement of a wireless operating license or compliance with applicable laws,” according to an official statement.
The aim of these guidelines is to curb the unauthorized sale of wireless devices that may pose risks to consumer safety, mislead consumers regarding their legal position and interfere with critical communication networks, including those used by law enforcement and emergency services, according to an official note.
The guidelines prepared after extensive inter-ministerial consultations with the department of telecommunications (DoT) and the ministry of home affairs mandates only authorized and compliant walkie-talkie devices operating on permitted frequencies are listed for sale on online platforms while the product listings to specify frequency ranges and other technical parameters and include proof of regulatory approval.
Guidelines for the Prevention and Regulation of Illegal Listing and Sale of Radio Equipment, including walkie-Talkies on E-Commerce Platforms, 2025 has stated that the e-commece platform liability and failure to adhere to these guidelines will lead to penalties.
Earlier, CCPA had issued 13 notices against 16, 970 product listed on digital platforms against the listing and sale of walkie-talkies on e-commerce platforms without proper frequency disclosure, licensing information, or equipment type approval, thereby, constituting violation of the CPA, 2019.
The authority for the protection of consumer rights has observed that product listings for walkie-talkies on the e-commerce sites do not specify whether the device requires a license from the concerned authority for use.
These listing lack details such as frequency range, licensing obligations under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, or the wireless telegraphy act, 1933, and the use of low power, very low power short range radio frequency devices (exemption from licensing requirement) rules, 2018
The guidelines require e-commerce entities to undertake due diligence and verify regulatory compliance, including licensing where applicable. The sites have to identify whether listings of equipments lack frequency information or necessary certification.
It also stated that e-commerce platforms should ensure that equipment listed for sale do not operate on frequencies which are not exempted from requirement of frequency assignment and authorization by DoT and ensure that the frequency bands on product description are clearly labelled.
The regulation also outlines penalties and enforcement mechanisms for violations in accordance with the Consumer Protection Act (CPA), 2019.
With these, the ministry of consumer affairs aims to ensure that due diligence by platforms before listing such products, verification of seller credentials and certification and introduction of automated monitoring and take down mechanisms for unauthorized listing.