CCPA Takes Action Against E-Commerce Platforms Over Unauthorised Walkie-Talkie Listings, Imposes ₹44 Lakh Penalty

Suo Motu Action and Penalties Announced​

The Central Consumer Protection Authority has initiated suo motu action against multiple e-commerce platforms for listing and selling unauthorised walkie-talkies, issuing final orders against eight entities and imposing penalties totalling ₹44 lakh.

Notices were issued to 13 e-commerce entities after the authority identified more than 16,970 non-compliant product listings across platforms. These included Chimiya, JioMart, Talk Pro, Meesho, MaskMan Toys, TradeIndia, Antriksh Technologies, Vardaanmart, IndiaMart, Meta Platforms Inc. through Facebook Marketplace, Flipkart, Krishna Mart, and Amazon.

Nature of Violations Identified​

The authority found that platforms were facilitating the sale of personal mobile radios operating outside permitted frequency limits, without mandatory certification or clear disclosure of licensing requirements. These practices were held to violate consumer rights, amount to misleading advertisements, and constitute unfair trade practices.

Penalty Details and Compliance Status​

Penalties of ₹10 lakh each were imposed on Meesho, Meta Platforms Inc. via Facebook Marketplace, Flipkart, and Amazon. Chimiya, JioMart, Talk Pro, and MaskMan Toys were fined ₹1 lakh each.

Meesho, Meta Platforms Inc., Chimiya, JioMart, and Talk Pro have already paid their penalties, while payments from the remaining platforms are awaited.

Platform-Wise Findings​

On Flipkart, 65,931 units were sold where frequency information was either missing or outside the permitted range, while another 42,275 units disclosed the correct frequency. Amazon recorded sales of 2,602 units between January 2023 and May 2025, with 467 listings lacking proper frequency or certification details.

Meesho saw 2,209 units sold by a single seller, with several listings missing certification or frequency disclosures. JioMart sold 58 units over a two-year period without clear disclosure of licensing requirements. Facebook Marketplace delisted 710 listings following the authority’s intervention.

Talk Pro, operated by Iconet Services Pvt Ltd, was found listing devices operating across a wide frequency range while claiming they were fully legal and license-free, along with misleading statements on operational range. Chimiya was found offering devices operating outside the permitted spectrum, imported from overseas without mandatory approvals.

Intermediary Defence Rejected​

Several platforms attempted to claim intermediary status to deny responsibility for third-party listings. The authority rejected this defence, stating that platforms involved in listing, hosting, discovery, and promotion of regulated products cannot be treated as passive conduits.

It held that intermediary protections apply only when platforms exercise effective due diligence and do not extend to cases where products are listed or advertised without mandatory statutory disclosures.

New Compliance Framework and Self-Audits​

To strengthen accountability, the authority has notified new guidelines aimed at preventing and regulating illegal listing and sale of radio equipment on e-commerce platforms. These require verification of frequency compliance, certification checks before listing, full disclosure of licensing requirements, prohibition of misleading advertisements, and deployment of automated monitoring and takedown systems.

Major e-commerce platforms have also been directed to conduct self-audits, publish audit certificates online, and strengthen pre-listing compliance mechanisms to prevent recurrence of such violations.

Security Concerns Highlighted​

The authority warned that unauthorised radio communication devices can interfere with critical national communication networks used by law enforcement, disaster response agencies, and emergency services. It noted that consumers rely heavily on online product descriptions, and the sale of non-compliant devices exposes them to regulatory and security risks.

Five matters involving Antriksh Technologies, IndiaMart, TradeIndia.com, Vardaanmart, and Krishna Mart remain under investigation or at various stages of hearing.