Government to Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, OLX, Facebook and other online shopping web sites: Selling these gadgets is ‘unlawful’

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The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) underneath the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has despatched notices to 13 online commerce platforms for promoting walkies-talkies illegally. “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,” learn an official launch.“The product listings for walkie-talkies do not specify whether the device requires a license from the concerned authority for use,” it additional added.

Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, OLX, Facebook and others will get authorities discover over unlawful sale of walkies-talkies

The platforms that acquired the notices embody Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, OLX, TradeIndia, Facebook, Indiamart, VardaanMart, Jiomart, Krishnamart, Chimiya, Talk Pro Walkie Talkie, and MaskMan Toys. The 13 platforms, as per the discharge, are promoting walkies-talkies “without proper frequency disclosure, licensing information, or Equipment Type Approval (ETA) which constitutes a violation of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.”The central physique mentioned that a number of platforms had been permitting the sale of walkie-talkies:Without clearly specifying the frequency vary;Without legitimate Equipment Type Approval (ETA) from the Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) Wing; andWithout correct disclosure of licensing necessities to shoppers.An preliminary overview by the CCPA confirmed a lot of such listings throughout these platforms — round 467 on Amazon, 314 on Flipkart, 489 on Meesho, and 423 on TradeIndia. As a outcome, the Central Authority has requested these platforms to share particulars just like the names and contact info of the sellers, product URLs and itemizing IDs for the walkie-talkies, frequency specs and any licensing info proven on the listings, whether or not ETA/WPC certifications had been collected or verified, and the variety of items offered for every itemizing from January 2023 until now.As per Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020, online marketplaces should clearly present all necessary info in order that patrons could make knowledgeable decisions earlier than shopping for. The launch said that not giving particulars just like the frequency vary, license necessities underneath Indian legal guidelines, and the principles about utilizing low-power radio units can mislead prospects into pondering that walkie-talkies are allowed for anybody to use with out restrictions.

CCPA to subject tips

To guarantee compliance with the regulation and safeguard client pursuits, tips for the Prevention and Regulation of Illegal Sale and Use of Licensed Frequency Range Wireless Telegraphy Apparatus together with Walkie-Talkies on E-Commerce Platforms, 2025 will quickly be positioned on the web site of the Department of Consumer Affairs for public feedback/options/suggestions. CCPA has additionally despatched a letter on this regard to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Department of Telecommunications to search their precious inputs. These draft tips goal to: