Eight online marketplaces were penalised Rs 44 lakh for selling unauthorised radio devices, highlighting regulatory vigilance on telecom compliance
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has moved against several ecommerce platforms for permitting the online sale of unauthorised walkie-talkies, invoking provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 and applicable telecom laws. The regulator has issued final orders against eight entities and imposed penalties totalling Rs 44 lakh.
The enforcement action follows a suo motu review that led to notices being issued to 13 online marketplaces, including Meesho, JioMart, Talk Pro, Chimiya, MaskMan Toys, TradeIndia, Vardaanmart, IndiaMart, Meta Platforms (Facebook Marketplace), Antriksh Technologies, Krishna Mart, Flipkart, and Amazon, after authorities detected over 16,970 listings that did not meet statutory norms.
According to the CCPA, these platforms enabled the sale of Personal Mobile Radios (PMRs) that either operated on non-exempt frequencies or were offered without mandatory Equipment Type Approval (ETA) certification and proper disclosure of licensing conditions.
Penalties And Platform-wise Findings
The authority levied penalties of 10 lakh each on Meesho, Meta Platforms Inc. (Facebook Marketplace), Flipkart and Amazon. While, Chimiya, JioMart, Talk Pro and MaskMan Toys were fined Rs 1 lakh each.
Regulatory scrutiny showed that Flipkart sold 65,931 walkie-talkie units where frequency information was either omitted or fell outside the licence-free band, while another 42,275 units were sold with compliant disclosures. Amazon recorded sales of 2,602 units between January 2023 and May 2025, including 467 listings that did not clearly mention frequency details or certification status.
On Meesho, a single seller accounted for 2,209 unit sales, with multiple listings lacking ETA certification or frequency specifications. JioMart sold 58 units over a two-year period without clearly stating licensing requirements. Following regulatory intervention, Facebook Marketplace removed 710 listings.
The CCPA also found that Talk Pro (Iconet Services) listed devices operating across the UHF 400–1200 MHz range while advertising them as “100 per cent legal” and “license-free”, along with exaggerated claims on operational range. Chimiya was found selling walkie-talkies operating in the UHF 400–470 MHz band — beyond the permitted spectrum — imported without required approvals.
Intermediary Claims Rejected
Several platforms argued that they were intermediaries and could not be held liable for third-party listings. The CCPA rejected this contention, stating that platforms actively enabling the listing, visibility and promotion of regulated products cannot be treated as passive conduits.
To address recurring violations, the CCPA has notified the Guidelines for the Prevention and Regulation of Illegal Listing and Sale of Radio Equipment, including Walkie-Talkies on Ecommerce Platforms, 2025, in consultation with the Department of Telecommunications and the Ministry of Home Affairs. These require pre-listing verification of frequency compliance and ETA certification, transparent disclosure of licensing obligations, restrictions on misleading advertisements, and automated monitoring and takedown systems.
Security Risks And Pending Proceedings
The regulator cautioned that unauthorised radio devices can interfere with critical communication networks used by law enforcement agencies, disaster response teams and emergency services.
They even added that consumers rely heavily on online product descriptions and may inadvertently face regulatory exposure when purchasing non-compliant devices.
Proceedings involving Antriksh Technologies, IndiaMart, TradeIndia.com, Vardaanmart and Krishna Mart are ongoing and remain at different stages of investigation or hearing.
