Meta Challenges CCPA Penalty in Delhi High Court Over Walkie-Talkie Listings on Facebook Marketplace
New Delhi, March 18: Meta Platforms Inc. has approached the Delhi High Court challenging a ₹10 lakh penalty imposed by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) over the alleged unauthorized listing and sale of walkie-talkies on Facebook Marketplace.Meta Argues It Is Not an E-Commerce Platform
Appearing for Meta, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi argued that Facebook does not function as an e-commerce platform like Amazon or Flipkart but merely acts as a “notice board” for users. He stated that Facebook neither facilitates transactions nor charges commissions.According to the submission, users independently connect with each other to buy or sell goods, and the platform does not provide any mechanism to complete transactions.
Delhi High Court Seeks Clarification on Jurisdiction
Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav listed the matter for hearing on March 25 and asked Meta to clarify how the CCPA’s order can be considered as lacking jurisdiction. The court also questioned why the issue should not be addressed by the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.CCPA Order and Alleged Violations
In its order dated January 1, 2026, the CCPA held that Meta violated provisions of the Consumer Protection Act and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules. The authority alleged that Facebook Marketplace allowed listings of walkie-talkies without mandatory disclosures.The regulator also directed Meta to ensure that no products requiring statutory approval or certification are listed on its platform without compliance with applicable laws. Additionally, Meta was asked to conduct periodic self-audits to identify deceptive listings and publish compliance certificates.
Meta Claims Regulatory Overreach
In its petition, Meta stated that Facebook Marketplace is a free service intended for individuals to sell or exchange goods in a personal capacity. It emphasized that commercial sellers and businesses are not permitted to create listings.The company argued that the CCPA exceeded its jurisdiction by treating Facebook Marketplace as an e-commerce platform. It further contended that such an interpretation would extend e-commerce regulations to a wide range of digital platforms, including online forums and community websites.
Meta also claimed that the order violated principles of natural justice and improperly invoked intermediary guidelines, which fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
Background: CCPA Crackdown on Walkie-Talkie Listings
The CCPA had earlier taken suo motu cognisance of large-scale illegal listings of walkie-talkies across digital platforms. The authority identified over 16,970 non-compliant listings and issued notices to 13 entities, including Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, JioMart, and Meta.The case will now be heard on March 25, where the court is expected to examine the jurisdictional and regulatory issues raised by Meta.
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